Maputo, 20 Jul (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Elections Commission (CNE) on Wednesday defeated an attempt by the main opposition party, Renamo, to deny a party formed by Renamo dissidents the right to stand in the municipal elections scheduled for 11 October.
The new party, Democratic Revolution (RD), was formed by Renamo members who opposed the leadership of Renamo President Ossufo Momade.
Renamo demanded that the RD should not be registered to participate in the elections because its emblem uses pictures of the first Renamo commander, Andre Matsangaissa, and his successor, Afonso Dhlakama.
Parties which register with the CNE are not allowed to use names, acronyms or emblems which might be confused with those of any other party.
The CNE members appointed by the ruling Frelimo Party say that in reality there is no similarity between the Renamo and RD emblems. The Renamo emblem consists of a partridge, ten yellow stars, and three arrows arranged horizontally from left to right, while the emblem of the RD is a blue square on a white background, which shows pictures of Matsangaiça, in the lower left-hand corner, and of Dhlakama, in the upper right-hand corner.
In other words, Renamo does not use pictures of its founding leaders on its emblem.
The CNE discussed the matter on Monday, when it did not approve registration of the RD. Instead it called both parties to be heard by the CNE about their emblems.
A vote was taken on Wednesday. Seven members of the CNE voted in favour of registering the RD, four against, and two cast blank ballots.
Renamo says it will now appeal to the Constitutional Council, the highest body in matters of constitutional and electoral law. According to a report in the latest issue of the election bulletin issued by the anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), the Justice Ministry has issued an opinion supporting the Renamo argument.
If the CNE accepts that opinion, there will be no need to appeal to the Constitutional Council.
(AIM)
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