Mozambique registered an unexpected high turnout as voting for the president, legislative and provincial polls began in earnest nationwide on Wednesday.
Nationwide reports said most of the polling stations opened on time at 07.00 (0500 GMT) and incumbent President Armando Guebuza, who is seeking a second term of office, voted at a polling station at a Maputo secondary school in the Mozambican capital.
After casting his vote, he told reporters that he had voted for his candidate and his party and appealed for a higher turn-out.
“I voted for my candidate and my (ruling Frelimo) party. I have just done what is the most significant thing in the country and I believe that Mozambicans will participate in this act with the enthusiasm that we saw during the election campaign without the violence but in peace and harmony,” he said.
In Maputo, voters formed long lines at the voting centers, and unlike previous general elections, polling will take place only a day, and not two days.
There are also three ballot papers (for the presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections), whereas in the past there were just two papers.
The main opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama of Renamo, who voted in Maputo for his fourth presidential bid, said participants must respect the outcome of the poll.
“I just hope that things run smoothly. We had good campaigning although not as well-funded as other parties (an apparent reference to Guebuza who used six helicopters). We campaigned with cars and managed to transmit out messages to the people. Our message was clear — to change Mozambique, to improve the well-being of people, economic development, employment for the youth, the rule of law, change in everything, a complete revolution for the Mozambican people. Now I feel good but there is need for everything to run smoothly in polling stations,” he said after casting his vote.
The former rebel leader said contenders must accept the will of the people so that Mozambique sets a good example, unlike in other African countries.
“Africa must start to have a culture of respecting those who have and those who have lost as well. We cannot repeat the story of Zimbabwe and other countries because this does not help us in anything in our continent,” he said.
The Electoral Administration Technical Secretariat (STAE) said it had increased the number of election staff from five to seven per polling station, at least one of whom will organize the queues, and ensure that voters are directed to the correct station.
In Mozambique’s fourth polls after the end of the 1992 civil war, President Guebuza is expected to retain power and move to attract more foreign investors.
The Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), a splinter party from Renamo and now the main opposition, was doing well until many of its candidates were barred from the contest due to registration irregularities, according to the electoral officials here.
Nearly 30 parties registered for the poll, but the election commission allowed candidates from only 19 to run. Only Frelimo and Renamo have been allowed to contest every constituency for the 250 seats in parliament.
Source African Press Agency
