Mozambicans have gone to the polls to elect a new president and parliament. The counting of votes began on Wednesday evening, with the Frelimo party, which has been in power since the southern African nation gained independence from Portugal in 1975, projected to win.
Four candidates, including Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo, are competing to replace the current President Filipe Nyusi, who has served the two terms allowed under the country’s constitution.
Many see Chapo as a new beginning for the country, having been born two years after independence and seemingly untouched by the corruption scandals that have marred the ruling party’s legacy. His campaign rallies reportedly drew large crowds. But the 47-year-old lawyer is said to be facing a tough challenge from Venancio Mondlane, an independent candidate popular among young people.
The other two contenders are Ossufo Momade, a former rebel commander and leader of the main opposition Renamo party, and Lutero Simango of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).
Poverty and lack of development were the top concerns among voters. Over 17 million of the country’s approximately 35 million people have registered to vote. While no official figures have been released, observers estimate the participation rate could exceed the 50% recorded in the previous general election in 2019. Official results are expected in about two weeks.
More than 65% of Mozambicans live in extreme poverty and are unable to buy food and non-food items, according to a National Development Strategy document that the government approved in June.
The discovery of vast gas deposits in the northern province of Cabo Delgado was expected to contribute to the mineral-rich country’s economy. However, a violent insurgency in the region since 2017 has resulted in deaths, widespread displacement, and a humanitarian crisis, halting multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas projects. The World Bank has warned that delays in larger projects could further undermine Mozambique’s growth prospects.
“We will ask the person who wins to end the conflict in Cabo Delgado because our grandsons are dying ... and we don’t want this to happen anymore,” Rosa Tembe, a 72-year-old widow, told Reuters on Wednesday.
While opposition leaders have warned against electoral fraud, outgoing President Nyusi called for calm and patience throughout the country after voting in the capital, Maputo.
“I would also ask that no group of citizens agitate or threaten others, that everything happen in peace and tranquility, and that we avoid announcing the results ahead of time,” the 65-year-old politician said, according to AFP.