Maputo, 20 Sep (AIM) – The Chairperson of Mozambique’s National Elections Commission (CNE), Bishop Carlos Matsinhe, on Tuesday guaranteed that the materials needed for the municipal elections, such as the ballot papers, are being printed outside the country, and will be ready in good time for distribution to the polling stations.
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on violence against women during elections, Matsinhe said that all obstacles have been overcome, and CNE staff are now working to ensure that there are no mistakes in any of the printed materials.
“Currently the material is being produced, and we have CNE members outside the country (he did not specify where) to supervise the production, packaging and codification of the material, so that each box of material follows the right code to go to the correct place”, said Matsinhe.
This, he added, is to ensure that once the boxes have been sealed, they are sent to the right destinations. If a mistake is spotted only on voting day, that could cause major problems.
The logistics are challenging, since there are 65 municipalities, each of them requiring its own ballot paper.
Matsinhe said the CNE is also working to ensure appropriate conditions for people with disabilities to cast their votes.
There will be adjustable voting booths, which disabled people can adjust to their height, he explained.
The CNE has also been working with the Forum of Mozambican Associations of the Disabled (FAMOD), visiting the schools where polling stations will operate, to see how access can be improved for people with impaired mobility.
Wherever possible, wooden ramps would be used for wheelchair access, although Matsinhe admitted that this might not be possible in all schools.
As for the official election campaign, which starts on 26 September, Matsinhe urged all political parties to respect the law and their differences, and to behave in a tolerant manner.
(AIM)
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