Mozambique’s ruling party candidate declared winner of presidential election as rigging claims swirl

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Moazmbique’s ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election Thursday amid claims of rigging by the opposition.

According to the national election commission, Chapo won by 70,67% of the national vote, followed by independent candidate Venancio Mondlane with 20,32% of the vote. The candidate of the opposition party Renamo, Ossufo Momade, came third with 5,81% of the total votes.

The results of the Oct. 9 election mean the governing Front for the Liberation of Mozambique party, or Frelimo, has extended its 49 years in power since the southern African country gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

Frelimo has often been accused of rigging elections, which it has consistently denied. Current President Filipe Nyusi of Frelimo is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms allowed.

The EU’s observer mission said this week that some of its election observers had been prevented from monitoring counting in some areas and there was an “unjustified alteration” of results at some polling stations.

Opposition parties have alleged there was fraud since the day of the election.

The country of around 33 million people has been on edge since two senior opposition figures, including a lawyer involved in a possible legal challenge of the election results, were killed last week when gunmen ambushed them and riddled their car with bullets.

Police also quelled demonstrations by opposition supporters this week, dispersing them by firing teargas.