In a move that has startled political observers and potentially undermined the electoral process, presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has declared himself the winner of Mozambique’s recent election, despite only a fraction of votes having been counted.
Mondlane, popularly known as VM7, made the announcement via social media on 10 October, claiming a 60% lead based on what he says is a tally of 25% of the voting records. This declaration comes merely days after the polls closed, and well before the official results are due to be released.
The hasty proclamation has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many citing the old adage, “More haste, less speed.” Political analysts warn that such premature announcements could destabilise the delicate post-election period in a country with a history of electoral tensions.
Mozambique’s political landscape is notoriously complex, with support for parties often divided along regional lines. The ruling Frelimo party, for instance, has traditionally shown strength in rural areas, where vote counting typically takes longer. The provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, which boast the largest number of registered voters, have the potential to significantly sway the outcome.
Adding to the complexity, some polling stations in Germany and in the districts of Maganja da Costa and Gile in Zambezia province were still open for voting when Mondlane made his announcement, further calling into question the basis of his claimed victory.
Civil society organisations conducting parallel vote tabulations have yet to complete their counts in several provinces. These groups, employing sophisticated methods to track results, have urged patience and caution.
Electoral officials at the district level, who possess the official voting records and the means to tabulate results, have not released any figures. This silence from official channels makes Mondlane’s claim all the more contentious.
The night following the election saw a trickle of results from urban centres, reported by various media outlets. These early numbers suggested a close race between Mondlane and his main rival, known as Chapo, with each candidate leading in different polling stations. However, experts stress that these initial figures are far from conclusive.
Mondlane’s actions have raised concerns about potential electoral violence. There are reports of his supporters visiting polling stations in Maputo, seeking voting records, in what some see as an attempt to pressure electoral authorities.
Critics argue that if Mondlane truly believes in his victory, he should release his data and vote-counting methodology for public scrutiny. Such transparency, they contend, would be a more responsible approach than making unsubstantiated claims.
As Mozambique awaits the official results, expected to be released from Friday onwards, the political temperature continues to rise. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this election strengthens Mozambique’s democratic foundations or becomes another flashpoint in its tumultuous political history.
For now, observers both domestic and international are calling for calm and urging all parties to await the official results, emphasising that a rushed judgement serves no one’s interests in the long run.
Egidio Vaz | Comms Strategist 