low graphics version | feedback | help
|
 The BBC's Grant Ferrett"An election which was being praised as a model for developing countries is in disarray"  real 28k The BBC's Greg BarrowLooks at Mozambique's economic miracle and its cashew nut industry  real 28k |
Voting extended in Mozambique
 An 80% poll is predicted |
Voting in Mozambique's presidential and parliamentary elections has been extended for an extra day aross the country.
The president of the electoral commission, Jamisse Taimo, said this was to allow voting to continue in parts of the country where the polls opened late. Heavy rain in central Zambezia province delayed the opening of polling stations on Saturday.
The official opposition party, Renamo, has voiced its disagreement to the countrywide voting extension.
Renamo spokesman Gulam Jafar said: "We agree with extending the voting period to the affected areas, but not to the whole country. We don't understand the reason for it."
| Recent history |
 | 1975 Independence from Portugal |
| 1990 Frelimo introduces multi-party system |
| 1992 Peace deal with Renamo |
| 1994 Frelimo beats Renamo in elections |
Mr Jafar also alleged that fraud had taken place in the provinces of Nampula and Manica, and that ballot boxes had arrived at polling stations with completed voting slips already inside.
The BBC's Grant Ferrett in Maputo says the announcement that the vote would be extended has disappointed international observers - who said polling was going relatively smoothly - as well as the 30,000 or so Mozambicans who are manning the polling stations.
By the end of the second day of voting, many had little to do, such was the enthusiasm to vote in the early stages of the poll.
 Joachim Chissano is likely to retain the presidency |
Mozambicans flocked to polling stations on the second day of voting in the second presidential and parliamentary elections since the end of the civil war.
The main government-backed newspaper described the first day's voting as "abundant, orderly and calm".
Close contest for parliament
Renamo is hoping to build on its strong showing at the first elections five years ago and to seize control of parliament from Frelimo which has been in power since independence in 1975.
 Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama hopes for gains in parliament |
With opinion polls banned throughout the election campaign and the voting period, accurate forecasting is all but impossible.
Even if Renamo were to gain a parliamentary majority, President Chissano has given no indication that he would include any Renamo members in his cabinet.
The current elections are the first to be organised by Mozambicans themselves, rather than by the United Nations.
| Parliament |
| Frelimo 129 seats |
| Renamo 112 seats |
| United Democratic Union 9 seats |
With an annual growth rate of about 10% and low inflation, Mozambique is catching up with many of its neighbours after a long battle for independence and a particularly brutal civil war.
International investors, especially those from neighbouring South Africa, are pumping money into Mozambique, creating something of a boom in parts of the country.
The problem for the government is that the benefits of that economic growth are not being widely felt. Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama argues that this is due to corruption.
Mr Chissano has warned that a split between the presidency and the parliament could bring Mozambique's economic progress to a halt.
| Search BBC News Online | |
|  Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
Country profiles | |
See also: | |
| |
 | 15 Nov 99 | Africa |
| Queen's praise for Mozambique |
| |
| 15 Oct 99 | Africa |
| Mozambique opens stock exchange |
| |
| 02 Aug 99 | Africa |
| Mozambique debt written off |
| |
| 08 Jun 99 | debt |
| Mozambique's foreign debt |
| |
| |
Internet links: | |
| |
| Mozambique news agency |
| |
| African Studies: Mozambique |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | |
Links to other Africa stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
