OWN CORRESPONDENT, Maputo | day 11.00m.
MOZAMBIQUE’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that December’s presidential and general elections were in order, dismissing allegations of fraud by the country’s main opposition Renamo party.
The court’s judgement was broadcast live on state radio and television after it had investigated a suit by Renamo, which has claimed fraud in the December 5 polls.
President Joaquim Chissano was re-elected and his Frelimo party retained a parliamentary majority.
The court, in its capacity as the country’s constitutional council, made the confirmation after probing allegations of electoral fraud filed last month by Renamo, a former rebel movement which battled Frelimo until 1992.
Renamo had demanded a ballot recount before resorting to legal action and also alleged that its members in the National Elections Commission and its party agents were denied access to the computerised election results.
“The arguments presented by Renamo are inconsistent… (and) do not justify any annulment of the elections or a recount of the votes,” found the court in its verdict read out by Judge Luis Mondlane.
Frelimo will hold 133 seats in the new parliament leaving Renamo, which had formed an electoral alliance with ten smaller parties, with 117 seats.
Before the President of the Supreme Court Mario Mangaze proclaimed the elections valid, all Renamo members walked out of the room where the ceremony took place, apparently in protest at the verdict. — AFP