Commonwealth Observers deploy around Mozambique

Election Observation is one of the many ways the Commonwealth seeks to promote and reinforce democracy.

Commonwealth Observers deployed across the country this weekend ahead of Mozambique's Parliamentary and Presidential Elections, scheduled for 1 and 2 December 2004. Announcing the deployment today Chairperson Dr Vaughan Lewis, former Prime Minister of St Lucia, said:

"We have had a series of briefings in Maputo with CNE, the political parties, non-governmental organisations. Commonwealth High Commissioners and other observers. Now we have deployed around the country in two-person teams. We will observe the very end of the campaign, the final preparations for the elections, the voting and counting and as much as we can see of the results process. We will continue to observe after we re-assemble in Maputo to write our report, which will be finished before we leave Mozambique".

The Commonwealth Observer Group consists of ten eminent people from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific, supported by a six-person team from  the Commonwealth Secretariat. Dr Lewis will visit major provincial centres but will return to Maputo for the two election days. The rest of the Group will be deployed as follows:

Maputo Province and City
Justice John Mosojane and Mr Mwambu Wanendeya

Gaza and Inhambane Provinces
Dr Steve Surujbally and Mr Simon Gimson

Nampula and Cabo Delgado Provinces
Mr Bernard Narokobi and Ms Jane Michuki

Zambezia Province
Hon Hamat Bah and Ms Fipe Tuitubou

Tete and northern Manica Province
Mr John Wilde and Ms Audrey Gadzekpo

Sofala and southern Manica Province
Mr Gilbert Ahnee and Mr Linford Andrews

NOTE TO EDITORS

The Commonwealth Observer Group will leave Mozambique on 8 December 2004. A continuing Commonwealth presence will be retained once the Observer Group departs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Mwambu Wanendeya - 082-331834/01-483545

28 November 2004

Commonwealth Observer Group
Mozambique Parliamentary and Presidential Elections
December 2004

Key Links:

• Democracy Section
• Arrival Statement