The next election cycle in Mozambique is budgeted at about 19 billion meticais, and at this point the National Elections Commission (CNE) reveals that it has only six percent of the total needed.

The preparatory phase alone, including the census, will absorb 1.2 million meticais according to a CNE document cited by the newspaper "O Pais". This represents a deficit of just over two billion meticais. "We are still two-thirds short of the amount needed for preparatory activities," the CNE document says.

The body predicts that about 6.7 billion meticals will be needed next year, and more than 8.7 billion meticals needed for 2024-2025.

For now, the CNE assures that work is underway with the Government to overcome this financial imbroglio, "including the chronic problem of the lack of adequate facilities for the CNE, at the central level.

The CNE warns of rising costs since, unlike previous electoral processes, the next ones will entail greater health care from preparations to voting.

Voter registration for the country's sixth municipal elections will take place from February 20 to April 5, 2023. Municipal elections are scheduled for October 11 of the same year, and general and district elections for 2024.