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Bad weather forces extension of Mozambique elections Jamisse Taimo, president
of the CNE said today that 69 stations were still closed by noon Saturday,
but even as he addressed a sweltering press conference, word arrived that
eight more stations had just received their supplies. It is hoped that by
tonight the remaining 61 will be fully operational. Mozambique electoral law
specifies that the CNE may extend elections for valid reasons for one day.
but also states that no results from any station may be released until all
polling have completed voting. More than 99 percent of
polling stations have completed their voting, but the delayed Zambezia voting
-- representing less than 0.8 percent of the total number of polling stations
and fewer than 60,000 voters -- means that no results can be announced before
Sunday evening at the earliest. The South African National
Defence Force (SANDF) has provided eight helicopters as a support service to
Mozambique at the request of CNE to reach remote areas. It is based Beira and
will include medical personnel should any emergency arise. In the 1994 election,
Renamo won the majority of seats in Zambezia and the CNE is being especially
careful to keep within the electoral law. Just an hour before Taimo
made his announcement, a Renamo spokesperson told journalists that they were
"very satisfied" with the election process. Earlier, the former
rebel movement had demanded the voting in three districts in Tete province be
postponed. Renamo alleges it could not campaign there because of harassment
by Frelimo, the ruling party, and a delay in releasing funds. It made a
formal petition to CNE yesterday asking it for a ruling. Taimo said the CNE had
discussed the complaint and appointed two Renamo monitors to investigate.
Renamo has accepted the ruling. The European Union Joint
Observation Mission, with 64 members from 12 states, said the first day of
voting yesterday (Friday) indicated a high turnout of voters and smooth
running of polling stations. "We are particularly
impressed by the competence of polling station staff, the manner in which
they assist voters who need explanation and the disciplined behaviour of the
hundreds of people we have seen everywhere waiting in queues to vote," said
Pertti Paasio, chief of the observer mission. Some analysts are expressing cautious optimism at Renamo's apparent willingness to cooperate with the CNE, suggesting the days of threats to return to war or boycotts may be over. "They are now in the democratic system which is a good thing for Mozambique," an EU monitor said, speaking unofficially. He added that Renamo had set up its own computer system to do parallel vote counting, meaning they would have to lodge complaints based on actual data rather than emotion or rumour. (SARDC) |
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[Elections '99 || Sustainable Democracy || SARDC] Mail Editorial for comments and queries. |
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