The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) have reported 38 cases of electoral crimes during the country’s general elections held on Wednesday October 9, resulting in the arrest of 37 individuals, according to an announcement made on Tuesday, October 15.
An official from the PRM general command also noted that during the electoral campaign period, from August 24 to October 6, 60 electoral offenses were documented, leading to the arrest of 39 individuals.
Despite these incidents, the PRM emphasized that the voting process on October 9, and in two districts of Zambézia Province three days later, “took place in an environment of public order and security.”
The police report detailed that 38 cases of electoral and criminal offenses were recorded, and 37 individuals were detained in connection with these activities. A total of 87 reports were submitted to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further legal action.
Overall, Mozambican authorities have assured the public that the elections were conducted “in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility” throughout the country, with no significant disruptions to public order or security.
The general elections held on October 9 marked the seventh presidential election, where current president Filipe Nyusi, having reached the constitutional limit of two terms, was ineligible to run. The election also included the seventh legislative elections and the fourth elections for provincial assemblies and governors.
The National Electoral Commission (CNE) has up to 15 days to publish the results of the presidential election, unless a second round is required, after which they will be submitted to the Constitutional Council for validation. The council has no set deadline for announcing the official results after reviewing any potential appeals but expects to receive the provincial vote count data between Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
The election included legislative seats (250 deputies) as well as seats for provincial assemblies and governors, with 794 mandates to be allocated in total. The CNE approved lists from 35 political parties running for the Assembly of the Republic and 14 political parties and citizen groups competing for provincial assemblies.