Mozambique Political Process Bulletin

2008 Local Election Issue 28 – 12 February 2009, am
--------------------------------------------------------
Published frequently during the election period
Editor: Joseph Hanlon (j.hanlon@open.ac.uk)
Deputy editor: Adriano Nuvunga – Research Assistant: Tania Frechauth
Published by AWEPA, the European Parliamentarians for Africa,
and CIP, Centro de Integridade Publica
----------------------------------------------------------

PARTIAL RESULTS INDICATE FRELIMO WIN IN NACALA

Results from 41 polling stations, nearly half the total, point to a Frelimo victory in Nacala. Turnout seems similar to the 56% of the 19 November first round. But there are indications of fraud in at least five polling stations.

The Bulletin count of 41 polling stations gives Chale Ossufo (Frelimo) 10,470 votes compared to 7298 for Manuel dos Santos (Renamo and the current mayor).

Totals from a complete parallel count are expected later today.

Invalidating votes for Renamo

Five of the 41 polling stations showed very high numbers of invalid votes, which may indicate fraud. In two polling stations in Matalane there have been explicit accusations of polling station staff illegally invalidating votes for the Renamo candidate Manuel dos Santos.

In polling station 1893, Chale Ossufo (Frelimo) had 250 votes and Manuel dos Santos (Renamo) 66 votes, with an incredible 137 invalid votes (nulos). Of those 137, about 115 were ballot papers where the elector voted for dos Santos with a finger print, but each ballot paper had an identical line across the photo of Chale Ossufo drawn with a blue pen. The president (presiding officer) of the polling station was Antoninho Maia, who is pedagogic director of Escola 4° Congresso.

In polling station 1894,Ossufo had 207 votos and dos Santos 149, with 109 nulos. The president of the polling station, Arsénio Geraldo Joaquim Nkabwebe, was accused of invalidating most of those by putting an extra mark on them using the indelible ink intended for the voters’ finger. The vice-president, Amido Fernando, was seen using indelible ink on his right thumb to invalidate other ballot papers intended for dos Santos.

In Ontupaia polling station 1832 had 140 invalid ballot paper. Comparing to neighbouring polling stations 1829 and 1830 suggestions something is wrong:

Polling station Dos Santos Ossufo Nulo
1829 335 272 26
1830 247 216 26
1832 97 249 140

In all three, the votes for Ossufo are similar, but in 1832 there are roughly 150 fewer votes for dos Santo and 114 extra invalid votes.

Two other polling stations also had high numbers of nulos: EPC Mathapue 1839 with 72 nulos and EPC Murrupulane 1898 with 55 nulos.


============================
Mozambique Political Process Bulletin
Editor: Joseph Hanlon (j.hanlon@open.ac.uk)
Deputy editor: Adriano Nuvunga -- Research assistant: Tania Frechauth
Material may be freely reprinted and circulated. Please cite the Bulletin.
Prior issues available online: http://www.tinyurl.com/mozamb
Published by AWEPA, the European Parliamentarians for Africa,
and CIP, Centro de Integridade Publica
=========================================
To subscribe: Para assinar:
In English: http://tinyurl.com/mz-en-sub
Em Portugues: http://tinyurl.com/mz-pt-sub
To unsubscribe: http://tinyurl.com/mz-en-unsub
=========================================
Also on the web: Tambem na internet:
In English: http://www.cip.org.mz/pub2008/index_en.asp
Em Portugues: http://www.cip.org.mz/pub2008/
=============================
This mailing is the personal responsibility of Joseph Hanlon, and does not necessarily represent the views of the Open University.
==



The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).