Some teachers in Niassa province, northern Mozambique, have confirmed that they are being forced to leave their classrooms to join the Frelimo party's election campaigns.

According to our correspondents, many employees are being forced to leave their jobs to take part in the pro-Frelimo campaign.

The education sector is one of the most affected because some teachers are obliged to join the party's campaign. The same teachers have been notified to be on the lists for the polling stations, which are due to start training soon.

In Mecula, still in Niassa, a teacher at the 16 de Junho General Secondary School told our correspondents that the orders come from the first secretary of the Frelimo party at district level.

"The First Secretary of the party (in the district) orders an official to do something and if he doesn't show his availability, he is sent to preferia (more remote and difficult to reach areas) and is seen as an element of the opposition," the professor denounced. (Boletim Eleitoral, CIP)