Mozambican analysts and politicians describe as "absurd and humiliating" the "millionaire" transport rental contracts made by the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) in Cabo Delgado for the local elections on October 11.

The information comes after the Center for Public Integrity (CIP) commented that "the awards reflect the same pattern as always" because "they are mostly for companies whose shareholders have strong links to the Frelimo party".

According to CIP, STAE made urgent transportation and supply contracts for voter registration in seven districts of Cabo Delgado worth 4 million dollars, which were awarded to companies linked to figures close to Frelimo and politically influential businessmen in the province.

However, for political analyst Samuel Simango, quoted by VOA, the millionaire contracts have made the government spendthrift "to benefit an elite linked to the ruling party", in the face of a population that still lives in misery and without basic services.

"The million-dollar contracts for the rental of vehicles by STAE are a disregard for the situation in Mozambique, given the lack of medicines in hospitals, dilapidated roads and precarious schools," said Samuel Simango, pointing out that the contracts are a way for Frelimo to finance itself in these elections from the public purse.

"We need to put a stop to these practices," said the analyst, who called for civil society organizations to intervene.

For political analyst Martinho Marcos, "the contracts are harmful due to the lack of seriousness on the part of the authorities in drawing them up, as well as being self-destructive of democracy".

Source: VOA