Regional Reporter
Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), was officially declared the winner of the presidential elections held on October 9, 2024, by the National Electoral Commission (CNE). Chapo is set to succeed Filipe Nyusi and become the fifth President of Mozambique, achieving a significant victory in several strategic provinces across the country.
According to the results of the general vote count announced by Carlos Matsinhe, the president of the CNE, in Maputo, “Daniel Chapo won with more than 50% of the votes in all constituencies,” totaling 4,912,762 votes.
Venâncio Mondlane, who was supported by the extra-parliamentary Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), came in second place, securing “20.32%,” which amounts to 1,412,517 votes.
In third place was Ossufo Momade, president of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), previously the largest opposition party, with “403,591 votes” (5.81%). He was followed by Lutero Simango, president of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), who received “223,066 votes” (3.21%).
In the legislative elections held simultaneously, Frelimo also achieved a significant victory, “securing the majority of seats in the Assembly of the Republic” and thereby reinforcing its political control in Mozambique.
Despite the CNE’s official announcement, the final validation of the results is pending a decision by the Constitutional Council, which will review any appeals. Meanwhile, Daniel Chapo is preparing to tackle the main challenges of his upcoming term, focusing on “poverty reduction and political stability,” which were central themes of his electoral campaign.
Results by Constituency
In key constituencies, Daniel Chapo displayed a considerable majority. In the city of Maputo, “Chapo obtained 53.68% of the votes,” while Venâncio Mondlane followed with “33.84%.” Ossufo Momade received “9.62%,” and Lutero Simango garnered “2.86%.”
In Maputo province, Chapo recorded a landslide victory with “68.02%,” with Mondlane at “27.04%.” Gaza province emerged as a stronghold for Chapo, who won with “84.59%,” while Mondlane obtained “11.47%.”
In Inhambane province, Chapo achieved “73.16%,” while Mondlane received “19.86%.” In Sofala province, Chapo won “65.54%,” followed by Mondlane at “24.27%.”
Chapo’s victories continued in Manica province (66.71%), Tete province (84.42%), Zambézia province (73%), Nampula province (59.58%), Cabo Delgado province (65.81%), and Niassa province (68.95%).
Among diaspora voters in Africa, Chapo secured a clear victory with “89.16% of the vote,” while Mondlane followed with “6.24%.” In the rest of the world, Chapo won with “50.46%,” closely followed by Mondlane at “47.8%.”
The official results are still subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
Challenges and Contestation
Simultaneously, in the legislative elections, Frelimo maintained its political dominance, “securing the majority of seats in the Assembly of the Republic,” thereby strengthening the party’s power and increasing its control over parliament.
Despite the CNE’s confirmation of the results, the final validation awaits the Constitutional Council’s decision, which will consider any appeals filed by the opposition. Daniel Chapo is already preparing for his term in office, confronting immediate challenges such as “poverty reduction and political stability,” central to his campaign message that resonated with many voters.
The opposition, led by Venâncio Mondlane of the Podemos coalition and Ossufo Momade of Renamo, contested the preliminary results, alleging “irregularities in the electoral process” and accusing the ruling party of fraud. These accusations have fostered a climate of uncertainty, with several parties demanding “greater transparency” in the vote count and the disclosure of results.
Zim GBC News©2024