Mozambique elections are set to hold on October 15. 

This date was set in 2018 by President Filipe Nyusi of the FRELIMO party, who will be running for another term. Notably, for the first time in the history of the country, provincial governors will be elected and not appointed.

Why Is Everyone Scared?

Mozambicans are worried about falling victim to violence at the polls despite the peace accord FRELIMO signed with the rebel-group-turned-opposition-party, RENAMO. This fear holds becausethe ruling FRELIMO party has been in power since Mozambique gained independence in 1975, hence, have the advantage of controlling the elections and the outcome. 

Moreover, the opposition has repeatedly accused FRELIMO of abusing government resources to campaign, manipulating the voters roll and rigging polls. There are speculations that the opposition will feel sidelined and may resort to violence as they have not dropped their arms even after signing a peace deal.

Human Rights Watch researcher, Zenaida Machado, speaking to VOA said: “These elections, we can safely say they are on track to be the most violent the country has ever had.”

How Mozambican Elections Work

The president of Mozambique is elected through a two-round system in which all but the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are eliminated and the second round of voting is held. Voting is done through a ballot system. The 250 members of the Assembly of the Republic, the legislative body of Mozambique, are elected by proportional representation.

The Candidates

The RENAMO opposition chose Ossufu Momade, who is also the party’s leader, as its flag bearer after their January congress. Momade became the party’s interim leader following the death of Afonso Dhlakama in May 2018. FRELIMO, on the other hand, is supporting the reelection of president Filipe Nyussi for a second term. Finally, the Democratic Movement of Mozambique confirmed that its presidential candidate would be Daviz Simango, who has contested in two previous elections.