Elections in Mozambique
The first free, equal and secret elections in Mozambique were the parliamentary elections and the concurrent presidential election of 1994, representing thus the transition of Mozambique to a multi-party system. 1977 and 1986 national elections for the People's Assembly had already taken place, in which the " voters" but could only confirm by the ruling party selected candidates. During the Portuguese colonial era, there were no general election, even if during the period of Estado Novo " overseas province " Mozambique sent representatives to the parliament in Portugal. Since 1998, every five years, are also held municipal elections in Mozambique regularly. In 2009 the first provincial elections take place. Meanwhile, largely free elections are a fundamental part of the political system of Mozambique.
Elections for the settlers during the colonial period
During the Portuguese colonial era, there were no general elections in Mozambique, although since the 1890s, two MPs from the Portuguese Mozambique represented the colony in the Cortes, the parliament of Portugal. 1911 Kolonialrat in Lisbon was established, which was to represent the interests of the various colonies. The representatives of Mozambique were indirectly elected by assemblies' leading settlers ", ie selected Portuguese -born inhabitants of Mozambique. 1920 created the colonial administration a " Legislative Council " for Mozambique, whose members were predominantly determined, but elected to a small part of a small group of the population.
In the 1977 and 1986 elections held for the People's Assembly of Mozambique it was sham elections that took place under the conditions of a one-party state under the leadership of the Marxist- Leninist state party FRELIMO. The Central Committee of FRELIMO wrote to a list of candidates, which was confirmed on a series of meetings without discussion. There were certain democratic progress in the elections to the National Assembly in 1986 compared to the elections to the National Assembly in 1977: the use of ballot boxes rather than a public show of hands, the list consisted of little more candidates than seats, though the candidates were nominated by FRELIMO, but had not be party members. Nevertheless, it remained steered elections with minimal influence of the " electorate ".
Parliamentary elections since 1994
Since 1994, four parliamentary elections in Mozambique have been held, despite some irregularities and despite an obvious advantage of the ruling party FRELIMO as were ranked equal and secret predominantly democratic in the sense of free from international observers. All elections were won by a large majority of FRELIMO, while the former guerrilla movement RENAMO 's main opposition party was. Thus, the elections were marked by the contrast between the two former opponents in the civil war in Mozambique. Although each of these elections about 20 different parties competed, you can - as all parties were completely no chance to two - clearly speak to 2009 from a two- party system without change of power in Mozambique. In the parliamentary elections in Mozambique in 2009 joined with the RENAMO elimination Movimento Democrático de Moçambique (MDM ) for the first time a third party, whose results were of some importance. The MDM is the first party that is represented FRELIMO and RENAMO except in parliament since the now meaningless party União Democrática de Moçambique 1994 once won five seats in Parliament.
Presidential elections since 1994
The four presidential elections in Mozambique, which have taken place since 1994, reflect the same balance of power reflected as the parliamentary elections: the candidate of the unchallenged ruling party FRELIMO won each of the previous presidential election, while RENAMO with their party leader Afonso Dhlakama only to be taken to seriously, but always defeated rival candidates presented. Only in the presidential election in 1999 Renamo candidate could come dangerously close to the result of the FRELIMO candidate with 47 % of votes. By 2009, there was no third candidate succeeded nationally only 3 % of the vote to reach. Again, stand out from the Daviz Simango, the candidate of the Movimento Democrático de Moçambique, won just over 8 % of the vote in the 2009 elections.
Local elections since 1998
The first local elections, which were carried out in 1998, were wg of RENAMO and 15 other parties. befürchtetem electoral fraud boycotted, with few exceptions, therefore, occurred only FRELIMO to order ad absurdum of choice. The municipal elections in Mozambique in 2003 can therefore be considered as the actual beginning of democratic elections at the local level. Also there were only FRELIMO and RENAMO in the country. In four cities RENAMO won a majority, a few small parties could achieve notable successes in some places, in all other cities FRELIMO won the often overwhelming majority. In the 2008 local elections RENAMO got the receipt for their disregard of the local elections with a once deteriorated result and the division of their party organization in the former RENAMO stronghold of Beira, in which the former RENAMO member Daviz Simango won the mayoral what 2009 led to the establishment of the above- mentioned party Movimento Democrático de Moçambique. The local elections in 2013 were boycotted by RENAMO, while MDM the national average gained about 30 % of the vote and the mayor presented in four cities - of which in two cities until after election challenges and new elections.
Provincial elections since 2009
The first provincial elections in Mozambique in 2009 were under a similar ill-starred as the first local elections in 1998: As RENAMO had the procedure for approval of its candidates neglected to the provincial elections in favor of the concurrent presidential elections, RENAMO was not selectable in several electoral districts. The newly founded Movimento Democrático de Moçambique had to contend with formal obstacles, in the province of Sofala they still won a third of the seats, sparking the largest opposition party RENAMO from. In almost half of all electoral districts FRELIMO was however the only party on the ballot and received naturally 100 % of the votes.