CIAO DATE: 07/02

Observing the 1999 Elections in Mozambique: Final Report

Carter Center
August 2000

Carter Center

 

Forward

After critical first elections supporting both war-to-peace transitions and a move to democracy, a country's second election often presents even greater challenges. In Africa in particular, second elections have been marked by lower voter turnout, frequent opposition boycotts, and the entrenchment of incumbents by increasingly large margins. Since the end of the civil war and the first multiparty elections in 1994, Mozambique has made significant progress in its transition from war to peace and has moved toward an open and democratic society. Wide-ranging economic reforms have been implemented and contributed to high rates of growth and foreign investment. Nevertheless, the country still faces enormous challenges in terms of economic development, political reconciliation, and the consolidation of its political institutions.

In this context and in light of Africa's poor experience in second elections, The Carter Center viewed the 1999 elections in Mozambique as important to reinforcing peace and democratic stability in the country and across the region. The Carter Center organized a comprehensive observation program of the electoral process, including an assessment of registration and the deployment of 10 medium-term observers to monitor the campaign. For the Dec. 3-5 elections, the Center mounted a 50-person delegation, and 12 observers remained for extended monitoring of the vote tabulation process.

Taken as a whole, the 1999 electoral process demonstrated a number of positive signs, including bipartisan consensus on a new electoral law, a successful registration exercise supported by both parties, and a generally satisfactory campaign period, except for government and Frelimo abuse of their almost exclusive access to the media. In addition, the voting process was peaceful and orderly, with high turnout and a tightly contested race between two strong candidates.

Unfortunately, technical problems and a lack of transparency in the final tabulation of results undermined the credibility of the process, fueling political suspicions and doubts about the final results, which showed incumbent President Joaquim Chissano the winner with more than 52 percent of the vote. The opposition party, Renamo, rejected the results and filed a complaint with the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled against Renamo and validated the results. Although Carter Center observers made repeated requests, they were not provided sufficient access to verify the final tabulation nor analyze thoroughly the subsequent review.

These problems prevented the Center from concluding with an entirely positive assessment of the election process. There are clear indications that all sides recognize that the 1999 elections were flawed in some important respects, and that electoral reforms are necessary to increase trust and confidence in future elections. The Carter Center is hopeful, therefore, that Mozambicans will work together constructively to strengthen democratic practices and institutions.

The Carter Center is indebted to all the delegates who participated in our various assessment and observation missions, and to the other observer groups, both Mozambican and international, for their enthusiasm and dedication during the entire electoral process.

I want to extend special thanks to Sir Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, for co-leading the December 1999 delegation. His experience and wisdom added immeasurably to our efforts. The Carter Center is especially grateful to the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), whose generous funding made this initiative possible. We also appreciate the support provided by the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and by private donors.

Finally, I commend the Mozambican people for their perseverance and optimism. Their dedication to building and sustaining a peaceful and democratic nation is a symbol of hope for all countries emerging from conflict.

President Jimmy Carter
Chairman
The Carter Center

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