Maputo - The European Union and the United States are pressuring Mozambique's National Election Commission (CNE) to revoke a ban on some political parties contesting certain seats in the country's upcoming general elections. EU and US diplomats met CNE President Joao Leopoldo da Costa this week to voice their concerns at a ban on the new Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) and other parties contesting certain constituencies in the October 28 polls, local media reported Friday.
"We are concerned about the way this process has been conducted. For what we have heard from civil society representatives and political parties alike, the process is not being transparent and we also have doubts about the transparency of the process," the US embassy charge d'affaires Todd Chapman said.
"We hope to see this issue solved in a way that it permits the inclusion rather that exclusion of political parties," he said.
Sweden's Ambassador to Mozambique Torvald Auerson also said he was concerned about allegations of partiality on the part of the CNE. "Information suggests that the process is being manipulated in order to benefit some over others abounds," he said.
The CNE defended the bans, saying some of the parties had submitted incomplete documentation when registering their candidates.
The CNE has allowed candidates from 17 parties out of a total 29 that registered for the election. Of the 17, only the ruling Frelimo party and main opposition Renamo have been allowed contest all 13 constituencies.
The MDM has been barred from 9 constituencies,
The party, which was formed by former Renamo member and Beira port mayor Daviz Simango, has attracted significant interest among young Mozambicans.
