Maputo, Sept. 4, 2024 (Lusa) - The More Integrity Electoral Consortium, which brings together Mozambican civil society organisations, on Wednesday denounced the "misuse" of public assets by the three main political groupings during the first week of the campaign for the 9 October elections.
"The misuse of public resources occurred in 14% of the [electoral campaign] events observed, that is, in more than 200 events (...). The use of public goods and officials was most verified in the provinces of central Mozambique (17%), followed by the south at 4%," said the consortium leader, Augusta Almeida.
At a press conference in Maputo to assess the first week of the electoral campaign, the non-governmental organisation pointed to the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the party in power since independence, as the one that has made the most "improper use" of material and human resources from the Mozambican state, highlighting vehicles and teachers, having been observed at 26% of its campaign events.
The National Resistance of Mozambique (Renamo), the main opposition force, and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third parliamentary force, were also observed making "improper use" of public resources, but to a lesser extent, at 2% and 1% of their events, respectively.
The Consortium pointed out that, in the first seven days, teachers from the training centre in the Vilanculos district, in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique, and their respective students left classes to join political parties in election campaign activities.
According to the organisation, a similar scenario took place in Chiúre district in Cabo Delgado province, Chókwè in Gaza province, Sussundenga in Manica province, and in Boroma, Morrumbala and Gilé districts in Zambézia, where teachers and nurses led party initiatives.
The More Integrity Electoral Consortium also pointed out that there were three cases of "violations against press freedom", in which there were arrests and threats to media professionals, highlighting the case of Mozambican journalist in Cabo Delgado Rui Minja, who complained of threats after covering an episode in which the Mozambican authorities allegedly prevented a pre-campaign activity by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
Mozambique is holding general elections on 9 October, with the campaign officially kicking off on 24 August, in a ballot that includes presidential, legislative, provincial assembly and provincial governor elections.
More than 17 million voters are registered to vote in the general elections on 9 October, including 333,839 registered abroad, according to data from the National Elections Commission (CNE).
A total of 37 political forces are running in the legislative and provincial elections and there are four candidates for the Ponta Vermelha (the President's official residence): Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo); Ossufo Momade, supported by the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, the main opposition party); Lutero Simango, supported by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third parliamentary force; and Venâncio Mondlane, now supported by the extra-parliamentary parties Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) and Democratic Revolution (RD).
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