Maputo, 30 Sep (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has called for “neutral and transparent” intervention by district courts in offences that may arise from the current campaign for the municipal elections due to be held on 11 October.
According to Nyusi, who was speaking on Friday, during the inauguration of two courts, in the Maputo City municipal districts of Ka-Lhamanculo and Ka-Mavota, “the district courts should be aware that, when passing judgment, they must observe the principles of neutrality and transparency.”
The construction of the two courts is budgeted at 218 million meticais (3.4 million dollars at the current exchange rate).
In this context, he said, it is necessary to consider different points of view, bearing in mind that electoral activities “are in the highest national interest and have priority over others in this period.”
“These district courts are legally the first instance to turn to in the event of disputes arising from the electoral process”, he added.
According to Nyusi, as a way of guaranteeing the credibility of the elections and respect for the votes cast at the ballot box, there must be impartial and speedy intervention by the courts.
For those involved in the elections, the President warned against “acts of self-victimization by candidates or groups of politicians, because these can create violence within the electorate”.
Nyusi urged the electorate after voting “to leave the polling station and wait calmly for the results to be counted, validated and proclaimed by the competent authorities.”
All the main political parties have the right to appoint monitors at the polling stations, and even polling station staff, in order to ensure transparency and guard against possible fraud.
(AIM)
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