The EU criticized the recent Mozambican elections for lacking fairness and transparency, citing several irregularities. The Mission provided 18 recommendations aimed at improving future elections and expressed hope for electoral reforms under President Chapo’s leadership. While recognizing political dialogue, the need for quick actions to strengthen democratic institutions remains urgent.
The European Union Election Observation Mission (MOE-EU) stated that the general elections in Mozambique on October 9 were neither fair nor transparent. Laura Ballarin, the head of the mission, highlighted serious irregularities that undermined the credibility of the electoral process as noted by the National Elections Commission (CNE) and validated by the Constitutional Council.
Due to these irregularities, the EU Mission delivered 18 recommendations aimed at enhancing the credibility of future elections. Ballarin emphasized that although these recommendations align with Mozambique’s international electoral commitments, their implementation is crucial for ensuring fair electoral outcomes.
Despite the negative assessment of the elections, Ballarin expressed optimism regarding the ongoing political dialogue in Mozambique. She pointed to President Daniel Chapo’s discussions with opposition leaders as a potential foundation for important reforms and commended Chapo’s commitment to revising the electoral legislation, stating, “I transmitted this message to the President, who confirmed his intention to promote this reform.”
The EU is prepared to aid Mozambique in implementing electoral reforms through technical support from its delegation in Maputo. However, Ballarin cautioned that Chapo must quickly transition from promises to actionable steps, including a detailed roadmap for strengthening democracy in the country.
Ballarin also expressed her intention to meet with other candidates from the recent elections, including presidential runner-up Venancio Mondlane, to further address electoral issues. It is important to note that previous recommendations from the EU after the 2019 elections were not acted upon.
The political landscape in Mozambique has faced challenges, particularly regarding the integrity of its electoral processes. This recent EU observation highlights concerns about the fairness of the October elections, stressing the importance of addressing electoral irregularities and establishing public trust in governmental institutions. Historical context includes the EU’s prior recommendations, which have gone unimplemented, indicating a need for proactive measures to strengthen Mozambique’s democracy.
In summary, the EU Election Observation Mission criticized the fairness and transparency of Mozambique’s latest elections, presenting a list of recommendations to enhance future electoral integrity. While the mission recognizes positive political dialogue and potential reforms signaled by President Chapo, the urgency for prompt action and implementation of reforms is emphasized to rebuild public trust in the electoral process and institutions.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
