The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, appealed this Thursday to candidates in the local elections scheduled for October 11, asking them to avoid “incendiary and intimidating speeches” and to reject violence against their opponents during the upcoming electoral campaign. Next tuesday.
In a message to the nation released at 8:00 pm, Nyusi emphasized Mozambique's commitment to citizenship, discipline and patriotism, highlighting the importance of maintaining these values during the imminent electoral campaign. He stated that Mozambique is an example for the region, the continent and the world in terms of multi-party democracy and urged everyone involved in the electoral process to follow this example.
The electoral campaign for the local elections, which involves more than 11,500 candidates from 11 political parties, three party coalitions and eight groups of citizens, will begin at midnight on Tuesday. There is a unanimous call for a peaceful electoral process.
Nyusi appealed to competing political forces and their members to participate in the election campaign in a free, conscious, orderly and tolerant manner. He highlighted that the elections are a time to celebrate Mozambican identity and asked that candidates focus on presenting their manifestos, avoiding incendiary speeches, intimidation and acts of violence against their opponents.
The President also assumed the role of “civic educator” and urged everyone involved to contribute to preventing actions that could harm democratic and exemplary coexistence.
Nyusi emphasized the responsibility of leaders of political forces, associations and competing citizens' groups in guiding their members to strictly observe the law and the Electoral Code of Conduct.
He also expressed confidence in the actions of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique to ensure a fair and impartial electoral campaign, within the standards of law and order, and in the electoral bodies to conduct the process with transparency and equity.
These local elections mark an important milestone in Mozambique, being the first multi-party elections after the complete demilitarization of Renamo, the largest opposition party. Nyusi recognized the deepening of democracy and decentralization as pillars of the Democratic Rule of Law in Mozambique, built with the collaboration of all forces in society, in particular political parties and civic associations.
