Mozambique’s electoral authorities have extended voting in some regions and for overseas citizens in Germany due to logistical challenges. While most of the country completed voting on Wednesday, delays in delivering voting materials caused disruptions in certain areas, particularly in Zambezia province, as well as for Mozambican voters in Germany.
According to Paulo Cuinica, spokesperson for the National Electoral Commission, voting materials did not reach 23 polling stations in Zambezia on time. These included 4 stations in Maganja da Costa and 19 in Gilé district. In response, authorities extended voting in these areas, allowing citizens to cast their ballots until Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Complications were not limited to Mozambique’s borders. A similar issue occurred in Germany, where 670 Mozambicans were unable to vote as materials shipped in late September were held up in Cologne and did not arrive in Berlin until Thursday, the day after the election. Voting in Germany was extended from 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday to accommodate these voters.
Observers Flag Concerns
As the election process continues, international observers have provided preliminary assessments, praising the peaceful nature of the voting process but also raising concerns about delays and procedural issues.
Laura Valerin, chief observer of the European Union’s election mission, noted that EU observers monitored about 800 polling stations. While she acknowledged the peaceful campaign and orderly voting, Valerin expressed concerns about the efficiency of the counting phase, describing it as “very long and slow.” Additionally, she highlighted doubts among polling staff about how certain procedures should be conducted, signaling a lack of clarity that could affect the overall process.
Valerin also pointed to broader skepticism about the independence of Mozambique’s electoral bodies, a sentiment shared by various political parties, media outlets, and civil society organizations in the lead-up to the election.
Succès Masra, head of the observer mission for the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, also commented on the election’s procedural shortcomings. His organization, which deployed teams across Mozambique from 20 countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa, reported issues such as delayed accreditation for observers and party agents, late changes to electoral laws, and concerns about the misuse of state resources during the campaign. Masra emphasized that while Mozambican citizens were committed to exercising their democratic rights, these issues posed challenges to public confidence in the process.
Awaiting Results
Mozambique’s seventh general election since the adoption of multiparty democracy 30 years ago now awaits its official results. The first outcomes from the National Electoral Council are expected as early as Saturday, though any potential delays due to extended voting may affect the timeline. Both domestic and international observers are hopeful that Mozambique can address its electoral challenges and strengthen the integrity of its democratic institutions going forward.
