The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has expressed hope that the presence of a team he heads to observe Mozambique’s elections next week will strengthen the democracy of the country.

Mr Ingraham was selected to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group which will monitor the national and provincial elections in Mozambique, which begin on Wednesday

In a statement yesterday having arrived in Mozambique, he said: “An election is a massive national undertaking, and its success depends on constructive contributions from all Mozambicans - from the National Electoral Commission, to political parties and their leaders, to the media, security agencies, civil society and voters.

“This responsibility to act with integrity rests with everybody. We hope that our Group’s presence will support the strengthening of democracy in Mozambique.

“Toward this effort, we call on all stakeholders to adopt a constructive approach to the entire electoral process, in order to ensure a peaceful and credible election.”

Mr Ingraham explained that his team will issue an interim statement on its findings soon after the elections conclude. The group will depart Mozambique on October 21 and will publish its final statement later.

“During our time in Mozambique, we will seek to observe and evaluate the pre-election period, polling day activities and the post-election period, and we will consider all factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process,” Mr Ingraham said. “We will be objective, impartial and independent in conducting our duties and undertaking our assessment.

“The Group will spend the next few days meeting relevant stakeholders, political parties, independent institutions, civil society and international partners.

“We will also observe 
the closing stages of the 
campaign.

“On Monday, Group members will deploy in small teams to various provinces across the country to observe preparations ahead of polling day.

“We will observe the voting, the counting of the ballots and the results processes.”