Africa-Press – Mozambique. The leadership of the three main political parties, namely Roque Silva (Frelimo), Ossufo Momade (Renamo) and Lutero Simango (MDM), chose the city of Beira to launch their election campaign today for the sixth municipal elections.
In general, by the end of the day (26 September) our correspondents reported a relatively calm start to the campaign in almost all the municipalities.
In Beira, Frelimo chose the field of Ferroviário da Manga. The MDM preferred the terminal at the Manga level crossing while Renamo opted for the area of the crematorium in Munhava neighbourhood.
The choice of Beira to launch the campaign of the main political parties shows the appetite and interest in controlling the second most important city in the country. Everyone is betting all their energies on Beira.
The Mozambican police in Chiure, in Cabo Delgado province, detained five members of the MDM who were flyposting election material last night just 12 minutes before zero hours, which was the official start of the election campaign.
The detentions were confirmed by the Chiure MDM distict delegate, Luís Rodrigues Bali. He said it was the director of the campaign of the mayoral candidate who gave instructions to the flyposters.
The five members were surprised at 23.48 on Monday, 25 September.
Vandalising of materials and posters in places forbidden by law marked the first day
The main occurrence of the day was the vandalising of the election posters.
Our correspondents in almost all the 65 municipalities reported cases of flagrant violations of the law by political parties, who posted their materials in places forbidden by law, such as public institutions, and spaces owned by private individuals, without the due authorisation.
Posters were stuck over traffic signs in Marromeu and in Maputo.
And on official signs.
Frelimo and the MDM were the parties with most cases of flyposting campaign materials in places forbidden by law.
The start of the election campaign in Massinga municipality was marred by an incident that occurred early on Tuesday morning (26 September), at about 03.00, involving a member of RENAMO. This citizen was returning home after campaign activities, when he was run over by a vehicle carrying members and supporters of the Frelimo Party. The driver of the vehicle then fled. The victim was assisted and taken to hospital. His clinical situation is stable. He did not suffer serious injuries, according to the Renamo political delegate, Armando Maquiquele. The case is currently in the hands of the police.
The Frelimo Party First Secretary in Nampula, Luciano de Castro, this Tuesday (26 September) called a press conference to denounce an assault against two members of his party, and the kidnapping of a third, supposedly by members of Renamo. Luciano de Castro said that two youths were attacked at the Nampula airport roundabout by members of Renamo who were carrying blunt instruments, and the third was abducted in Natikiri neighbourhood by unknown individuals.
In the new municipality of Ibo island, some sectors in institutions in the Ibo district capital were abandoned on Tuesday and provided no public services. The staff had gone to the opening of the election campaign.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
