Frelimo won the presidency, the majority in the Assembly of the Republic and all the provincial governorships, according to the decision of the Constitutional Council (CC) announced this Monday (23). Even so, the CC, Mozambique's highest body in matters of constitutional and electoral law, took some votes away from Frelimo, in an implicit admission that there had indeed been significant fraud.

According to a publication by the Center for Public Integrity (CIP), which monitors the electoral process in the country, around 300,000 votes were annulled by the CC.

For President, Daniel Chapo was elected with 65%, down from the 71% given to him by the CNE. Venâncio Mondlane's percentage was increased from 20% to 24%. In Parliament, Frelimo's number of seats was reduced from 195 to 169.

PODEMOS continues to be the second largest party, with its number of seats increasing from 31 to 43. Renamo's seats increased from 20 to 28. MDM's seats increased from 4 to 8.

"This large number of seat changes confirms a major fraud. Taking 26 parliamentary seats away from Frelimo is a huge change. But, as usual, the CC gives no explanation for its changes," reads the bulletin.

(Photo DR)