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Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Veterans of the national liberation struggle in Mozambique consider election results as final when the Constitutional Council announces them.
According to Mozambique’s former Head of State, Joaquim Chissano, all candidates have the right to complain about irregularities, but should bring evidence to the National Elections Commission, and ultimately, to the Constitutional Council.
Former President Chissano, who read the message yesterday morning as a veteran of the national liberation struggle, said Mozambique’s electoral bodies were made up of competent and qualified professionals and had to act as such.
“In our country, no head of an electoral or constitutional body owes obedience to another entity. They obey their conscience and must refuse pressure from any candidate, their party or family members. Being a member of the electoral bodies is an honour and a responsibility,” Cde Chissano said.
In the context of the violent demonstrations taking place since 21 October in protest against the election results, the Veterans of the National Liberation Struggle called for calm.
“Our country is going through a serious moment. Groups are demonstrating violently in the streets, burning tyres, and attacking shops. It seems that they want to create a climate of disorder in the country. All of this is happening because some of the candidates in the elections believe that they have already won even before the final results have been announced.
“We understand this frustration, but let us remain calm. There is no greater value than life. We have already lost too many lives. There has been too much destruction. We want to offer our deepest condolences to the grieving families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” said the combatants’ body.
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