Waging Peace:  Mozambique

Monitoring Elections

2003 Municipal Elections
Following assessment trips in March and October 2003 during which election authorities, political parties, and local observer groups welcomed the Center's presence, The Carter Center began a long-term electoral assistance project in Mozambique in October 2003.

The Center found Mozambique's second municipal elections in November 2003 generally well-conducted and peaceful, but reports of less than 30 percent voter turnout were of concern.

2004 Presidential Elections
A team of observers was deployed in early October 2004 in preparation for the presidential elections to observe the political environment, election preparations, and the political party campaigns. Generally, the Center's observers found a calm environment, though some isolated signs of intimidation were observed in Gaza and Tete provinces. The code of electoral conduct signed by all political parties in May 2004 was respected to varying degrees throughout the country.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; his wife, Rosalynn; former Benin President Nicéphore Soglo; and Carter Center Executive Director Dr. John Hardman led a 60-member international delegation for the Dec. 1-2, 2004, presidential election. Observers generally found the polling stations they visited were well-organized, functioned effectively, were fully staffed, and had necessary election materials. The Center continued to observe ballot tabulation at the provincial and national levels for several weeks following the election days.

December 1999 Elections
During the December 1999 elections, President and Mrs. Carter and former Botswana President Ketumile Masire led a Carter Center team of 50 observers from 16 countries. The Center found the voting process to be peaceful and orderly but noted some problems with processing complaints, delayed poll openings, and intimidation. The Center was particularly concerned about the lack of transparency in processing the final vote count and could not ultimately verify the election results.