Maputo, 30 Aug (AIM) – The opposition Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) will occupy the top position on the ballot paper for the municipal elections scheduled for 11 October.
The National Elections Commission (CNE) organized the drawing of lots on Tuesday to determine whereabouts on the ballot paper the names of the competing parties would appear.
Since only the ruling Frelimo Party and the two main opposition forces, Renamo and the MDM, are standing in all 65 municipalities, it was just these three parties drew lots for the top positions.
The MDM will be in top position on the ballot paper in all the municipalities, Frelimo will occupy the second slot, and Renamo the third.
Lots were then drawn between the other 18 parties, coalitions and independent citizens groups for positions lower down the ballot paper. Most of the minor parties are only standing in a handful of municipalities.
Meanwhile the MDM has accused block chiefs in several neighbourhoods in the southern city of Matola of illegally collecting data from voter cards.
The voter card, issued during voter registration, is the personal property of the individual voter. The card should be shown to polling station staff on election day to check the identity of the voter. Nobody else has any right to demand that citizens show their cards – yet this abuse is reported at every election.
The MDM, cited in Wednesday’s issue of the independent daily “O Pais”, accused the block chiefs of “manipulating” the elections on the instructions of Frelimo.
The MDM claimed that the block chiefs demand to see the cards at the dead of night. It said it had no doubt that Frelimo is involved in this illegality, and warned that it would not allow manipulation.
(AIM)
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