DANIEL Chapo, the presidential candidate of Mozambique’s ruling party, is on track to become the country’s next leader as he leads the vote count in nine of the country’s 11 provinces. As vote counting from last week’s election continues, Chapo has secured over 50 percent of the vote in key regions, leaving his closest competitor far behind.
In the capital, Maputo, Chapo holds a commanding lead with over 53 percent of the vote, while independent candidate Venancio Mondlane trails with just under 34 percent. According to Lucilia Sitoe, chairperson of the Maputo Provincial Election Commission, Chapo has led at every polling station counted so far.
Sitoe announced, ‘Daniel Francisco Chapo, 656,056 votes, which corresponds to 68.02 percent. Venancio Antion Bila Mondlane, 260,792 votes, which corresponds to 27.04 percent.’
The two other presidential candidates, Ossufo Momade of the opposition Renamo party and Lutero Simango of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), garnered significantly fewer votes. In Maputo, Momade received 9.6 percent, while Simango managed only 2.86 percent.
Chapo is also dominating in opposition strongholds such as Zambezia and Sofala provinces, where he has gained 73 percent and 65 percent of the vote, respectively. Despite these leads, voter turnout across the country was notably low, with less than 50 percent of registered voters participating in the election. In the northern province of Nampula, over 2 million voters abstained, and many others cast blank ballots, a common form of protest in Mozambique.
In insurgency-plagued Cabo Delgado, 925,000 people did not vote, while 35,000 cast blank ballots, and 18,000 votes were spoiled. Despite these challenges, Mozambique’s national elections commission has pledged that every vote will be counted.
‘Every vote will definitely be counted. The system is participatory, with all political parties represented at polling stations, so we are confident in the process,’ said the commission’s chairman.
Final results are expected within two weeks. Dercio Alfazema, an independent political analyst, noted that the next president will face immense public expectations.
‘Our primary expectation is good governance. The public demands an end to corruption, improved security, better healthcare, quality education, and job opportunities for the youth. Additionally, the new president must address ongoing terrorism in the north and the issue of kidnappings,’ Alfazema told VOA.
The new president will be sworn in next January, as outgoing President Filipe Nyusi steps down after completing his second term, which constitutionally bars him from seeking re-election.
