The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) announced yesterday that seven members of the party had been arrested by the police in the city of Beira, accused of having violated the electoral law.

"We have to announce the arrest of our party members in the districts of Chiure, in Cabo Delegado, and in the district of Beira, in Sofala," said Lutero Simango, president of the party, quoted by the Lusa news agency.

The official, who was speaking to journalists in Beira, said that two senior members of his party had been arrested in that city, the political delegates from Sofala province and the city of Beira, for reasons that are still unclear, and five others in the district of Chiure in Cabo Delegado, allegedly "for having pasted campaign material hours before the start of the election campaign".

"We condemn the way the police are acting, we are dealing with a police force that is not republican, but partisan, acting under the command of the party in power, Frelimo. We're sorry, but we're not going to back down, they're not going to stop us," said Lutero Simango, adding that the arrest of his senior staff is aimed at "weakening and destabilizing the MDM".

At the start of the electoral campaign, the president of the National Electoral Commission, Dom Carlos Simão Matsinhe, urged the police to opt for the principles of impartiality and equal treatment and opportunity between the various players.

"The Police of the Republic of Mozambique play a leading role in society and, in particular, during the electoral process, as they contribute directly to creating a calm, peaceful and orderly environment.

The election campaign kicked off at 00:00 on Tuesday, and more than 11,500 candidates from 11 political parties, three coalitions of parties and eight citizens' groups are involved.