The October 9 2024 election was Mozambique’s seventh election since multiparty was introduced in 1994, cementing it’s status as electoral democracy but only unless if they were free, fair and credible. Some Scholars articulate that Holding an election is not enough to declare democracy, it’s processes being free, fair and credible do.
The electoral processes have been marred with wide spread irregularities in that of brazen ballot stuffing, electoral fraud among others in favor of the governing party FRELIMO likely to be confirmed by the electoral commission. The manipulation of elections by electoral Management bodies in favor of the governing party is crippling Mozambique democracy eroding crediblility even through local media.such issues violate the free ,fair and credible mandate of elections in Mozambique electoral laws and the southern African development community principles and guidelines governing democratic elections
Tampering of the voters roll was evident as thousands of Mozambiquans could not cast their vote because their names did not appear on the voters roll particularly in areas the opposition RENAMO traditionally has huge votes.
The European Union Election Observation Mission said there was a notable lack of confidence in the reliability of the electoral register given that in several provinces it reflected a higher number of voters than the overall voting age population derived from the national census.
The election may have proven to be an uneven playing field as there was organised disorganisation by the electoral authorities as more media airtime of streaming was in favour of FRELIMO the governing party, they did not provide enough staff and the necessary voting material in many polling stations.
Evident in Quelimane 117 pre filled ballots were found in favor of FRELIMO and when the STAE director was questioned claimed to know nothing about it. Hon Manuel de Araujo mayor of Quelimane alluded that as it stands now it is not worth continuing to hold elections. Scholars such as Sakarombe purported that it is not worth going for elections if there are no electoral reforms.
Domestic and international observer missions reported evidence of fraud including ballot box stuffing.
It has become a tainted electoral process as it is reported by observers as stacks of folded ballot papers were found and the figures in the protocols did not reconcile.
The absence of credible elections is one main cause of Mozambique to be labelled undemocratic due to elections irregularities such as election rigging. Mozambique can be classified as an authoritarian regime
Everything said and done, Zimbabwe holds the SADC Chairmanship, is the Mozambiquian Opposition going to wait for the SADC intervention ?
Irene Saunyama
Midlands State University Student
Department of Public Management and Governance