MAPUTO – European Union poll observers yesterday noted irregularities in the results of Mozambique’s general election, which has been contested by the opposition.

On Monday, riot police in the capital Maputo fired tear gas to disperse a crowd protesting against alleged fraud in the 9 October presidential and parliamentary election, days after two associates of opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane were shot dead.

“The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) . . . has noted irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results at polling station and district level,” they said.
The EU observers urged election authorities in the country to conduct the ballot count “in a transparent and credible manner, ensuring the traceability of polling station results”.
“In view of the social tensions and electoral related violence witnessed in recent days, the EU EOM reiterates its condemnation of the killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, and wishes to call for utmost restraint by all,” they added.

Mondlane yesterday accused the security forces of killing his lawyer.
“This was a crime committed by the defence and security forces. There’s no doubt about it. The special forces killed Elvino (Dias),” he said. – Nampa/AFP