EU observers say ‘unjustified alteration’ of Mozambique election results

Presidential campaigner Venancio Mondlane accused information forces of sidesplitting his lawyer, Elvino Dias, implicit the weekend.

European Union canvass observers person noted the “unjustified alteration” of immoderate results successful Mozambique’s wide election, amid accusations by a starring absorption campaigner that the authorities killed his lawyer.

The developments connected Tuesday came a time aft Mozambicans gathered to protest against alleged fraud successful the October 9 statesmanlike and parliamentary elections.

“The European Union Election Observation Mission [EU EOM] … has noted irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of predetermination results astatine polling presumption and territory level,” said a statement from the EU observers.

They urged predetermination authorities successful the Southern African state to behaviour the counting of ballots “in a transparent and credible manner, ensuring the traceability of polling presumption results”.

In a video posted connected Facebook connected Tuesday, statesmanlike campaigner Venancio Mondlane accused information forces of killing his lawyer, Elvino Dias, implicit the weekend.

“This was a transgression committed by the Defence and Security Forces. There’s nary uncertainty astir it. The peculiar forces killed Elvino [Dias],” said Mondlane, who accused information forces of firing astatine Dias 25 times.

“There is simply a terms connected my head,” Mondlane besides added.

Dias, who was preparing to taxable a lawsuit to the law tribunal contesting aboriginal predetermination results showing the ruling Frelimo enactment up successful the polls, was killed successful the aboriginal hours of Saturday.

He was successful a car successful Maputo with Paulo Guambe, from the Podemos enactment which backs Mondlane, erstwhile they were surrounded by vehicles and some were changeable dead, witnesses said.

‘Restraint’

In its connection connected Tuesday, the EU observers urged “utmost restraint by all”.

“In presumption of the societal tensions and electoral-related unit witnessed successful caller days, the EU EOM reiterates its condemnation of the killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe,” it said.

On Monday, the United States condemned the killings of Dias and Guambe, said US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller.

“We articulation the calls made by each 4 of Mozambique’s nationalist governmental parties successful urging a swift and thorough investigation. Those liable for these crimes indispensable beryllium held accountable,” Miller added.

The US is the largest bilateral donor to Mozambique, providing much than $560m successful assistance annually, according to the State Department.

The African Union and Mozambique’s erstwhile assemblage ruler Portugal besides condemned the killings.

Official predetermination results are expected successful Mozambique this week.

Mondlane, 50, told his supporters to “paralyse the country” connected Thursday and Friday to protestation against what helium predicted would beryllium “profoundly false” results.

On Monday, helium had called for a general strike and was among a radical of protesters successful the capital, Maputo, who were dispersed by constabulary with teardrop gas.

Frelimo has been successful powerfulness since Mozambique gained independency from Portugal 49 years ago. President Filipe Nyusi, 65, is stepping down aft 2 presumption his party’s candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, was wide expected to triumph the election.

Electoral unit is not uncommon successful the state of 35 million. Last year, respective radical were killed successful clashes aft section elections were won by Frelimo.