Victorino de Azevedo, the computer technician responsible for data processing at STAE-Quelimane, was sentenced to 365 days in prison, which will be converted into a daily fine of 100 meticais, equivalent to 36,500.00MT (Thirty-Six Thousand, Five Hundred Meticais). The defendant was found guilty of fraudulently entering data on the electoral roll, compromising the integrity of the electoral process.

During the trial, it was proven that Victorino drew up the manipulated maps and submitted them to his superiors for signature and sending to the STAE deliberative session, without revealing that he had included false figures to inflate the number of registered voters.

On the other hand, the co-defendants Assane Ussene (former director of STAE in Quelimane) and Zacarias Inácio Muheia were acquitted, as the court concluded that they had no direct responsibility for drawing up the maps and there was no evidence to implicate them in manipulating the data.

The outcome of the case has raised serious concerns about the reliability of electoral processes. The court's decision sparked outrage among residents, who took to the streets in protest, considering the penalty "insignificant" given the seriousness of the crime committed. (Text: Chuabo news)