The two largest opposition parties in Mozambique, Renamo and MDM, are against approving the holding of voter registration during the month of February and suggest that the process take place during the month of March.

The main opposition parties claim that the date proposed by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), February 1, coincides with the peak of the rainy season.

According to the parties, who were speaking during a meeting organized by the CNE to share with the political parties the timetable for the elections, the rains could affect access to registration posts, particularly in remote regions of the country, where access roads become impassable.

"Our first dissatisfaction has to do with February 1 as the date for the start of voter registration," said Renamo's national electoral representative, Glória Salvador.

"With the climate change the country has experienced in recent years, it's not possible to start registering on February 1st. It's a time when we have cyclones and a lot of rain," he added.

Sílvia Cheia, MDM's electoral mandatary agreed that February is not advisable for voter registration due to the weather conditions. She suggested that registration should start in mid-March or early April, as was the case in previous elections.

"The month of February falls within the rainy season and given the situation in our country, which is susceptible to cyclones and heavy rains, there are no conditions for the start of registration on this date," said Cheia.

Meanwhile, the representative of the ruling Frelimo party, Maria Manjate, explained that the timetable was drawn up taking into account the legal framework that exists at the moment, but her political party was also concerned about the situation.

"Yes, we're worried too. What we want is for the entire population to register, all those who are 18 or who will turn 18 by the date of the election," he said.

He added that Frelimo has no objection to changing the date set for the start of the census from February 1 to mid-March or early April, as long as it takes place within the provisions of the law.