Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: "For purposes of electing the deputies of the Assembly of the Republic the electoral territory is organised into constituencies. The constituencies coincide with the administrative areas of the provinces and of Maputo City, take the same names, and are headquartered in the respective provincial capitals. Voters resident outside the country form two constituencies, one for the countries of the African region, and the other for the remaining countries, both with their headquarters in Maputo city."
The President is elected from a single country-wide constituency.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 131, 164: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/02
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries g . Other
Comments: The constituencies for electing the deputies of the Assembly of the Republic coincide with the administrative areas of the provinces and of Maputo City, take the same names, and are headquartered in the respective provincial capitals. Voters resident outside the country form two constituencies, one for the countries of the African region, and the other for the remaining countries, both with their headquarters in Maputo city.
The President is elected from a single country-wide constituency.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 131, 164 (2-3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/02
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: The constituencies for electing the deputies of the Assembly of the Republic coincide with the administrative areas of the provinces and of Maputo City which are defined by the legislature. Voters resident outside the country form two constituencies, one for the countries of the African region, and the other for the remaining countries, both with their headquarters in Maputo city.
The President is elected from a single country-wide constituency.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 131, 164: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2014/10/02
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President of Mozambique is both Head of State and Government and is elected by absolute majority. In case no candidate obtains an absolute majority, there shall be a second round among the top two candidates.
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 146, 148: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 133: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President of Mozambique is both Head of State and Government and is elected by absolute majority. In case no candidate obtains an absolute majority, there shall be a second round among the top two candidates.
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 146 (3), 148: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 133: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 146 - 163: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Legislative power is vested on the Assembly of the Republic which is composed of 250 deputies.
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 169, 170 (2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP) g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: The members of the Assembly of the Republic are elected by list proportional representation from closed pluri-nominal lists in each constituency. The conversion of votes into seats is done through the method of proportional representation following the Hondt variant.
The election of the two deputies corresponding to the communities of Mozambicans living abroad is done by simple majority vote.
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 170 (2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014)
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 167, 170, 171: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 5/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating voter registration (as amended by Law No. 8/2014): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/law-no.-8-2014-of-12-march-2014-amending-law-no.-5/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: Election of the President of the Republic and the election of the deputies of the Assembly of the Republic.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 1: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 73, 135 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 3, 4 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: Irregularities that occur during the voting and in the partial, district or city, provincial and general and national count, may be challenged if they have been the subject of a complaint or protest at the polling station. The appeal shall be filed, within forty eight hours, counted from the posting of the notice which publishes the election results, to the Court of Justice in the district where the irregularity occurred, or to the Constitutional Council in case of the general or national elections.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 82, 192: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: Referenda
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 135 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 7: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 2 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature g . Other
Comments: The National Electoral Commission has its own budget, which is included in the annual State budget.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 2 (3), 61: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: The National Electoral Commission has financial and budgetary autonomy.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 2 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: The members of the National Electoral Commission are appointed for a term of six years.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 13 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: The National Electoral Commission is an independent authority, with administrative and budgetary autonomy.
Source: Constitution of 21 January 2005, art. 135 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 7: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 2 (3), 3: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
b . 11 - 20 members (specify)
Comments: The National Electoral Commission is composed of 17 members, including one president and two vice-presidents.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 5 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: The members of the National Electoral Commission must be Mozambican citizens more than 25 years old, with recognised moral and professional merit and proven integrity, independence, impartiality, expertise and dedication.
The National Electoral Commission shall comprise 5 members representing FRELIMO (the ruling party), 4 members representing RENAMO (the main opposition party), 1 from the MDM (opposition party) and 7 members representing civil society organizations.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 5 (2), 6: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
g . Political parties h . Civil society
Comments: The National Electoral Commission shall comprise 5 members representing FRELIMO (the ruling party), 4 members representing RENAMO (the main opposition party), 1 from the MDM (opposition party) and 7 members representing civil society organizations.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 6: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body
Comments: The National Election Commission is mandated to provide information and issue guidelines on electoral matters.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 9 (1)(h), 41 (1)(c), 52 (i): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments: According to the EU observation report on the 2009 Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Assembly Elections, the the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) "deployed 2,100 civic and voter education officers throughout the country during two months. They used traditional leaders as points of entry and communication in the communities. They ceased their activities on the day before the official beginning of the election campaign in a bid to avoid creating confusion among voters between voter education and political campaigning. Civic education spots were also broadcast in Portuguese and 22 local languages in national and local radios and TV stations for a period of four months that ended on election day".
Source: Election Observation Mission Final Report on the Presidential, Legislative and Provincial Assembly Elections in Mozambique(EU, 2009): http://www.eueom-mozambique.eu/EN/Final_Report.html (2014);
Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 9 (1)(h), 41 (1)(c), 52 (i): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body j . Yes, conducted by the Media
Comments: The National Elections Commission(CNE) shall promote civic education through the mass media.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 9 (1)(h), 41 (1)(c), 52 (i): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: All Mozambican citizens of both sexes who are at least 18 years old on election day have the right to vote.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 10 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments: All Mozambican citizens at least 18 years old are eligible to register and vote.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 10 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 5/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating voter registration (as amended by Law No. 8/2014), art. 3: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/law-no.-8-2014-of-12-march-2014-amending-law-no.-5/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Voter registration is carried out by the Technical Secretariat of Electoral Administration (STAE), which is under the supervision of the National Electoral Commission.
Source: Law No. 6/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating the functioning, composition and organisation of the National Electoral Commission (as amended by Law No. 9/2014), art. 48 (2), 49 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-law-no.-9-2014-of-12-march-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 5/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating voter registration (as amended by Law No. 8/2014), art. 10 (1), 12, 13: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/law-no.-8-2014-of-12-march-2014-amending-law-no.-5/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Registration is compulsory and constitutes a prerequisite for the exercise of the right to vote.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 4 (2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
Law No. 5/2013 of 22 February 2013 regulating voter registration (as amended by Law No. 8/2014), art. 2, 5: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/law-no.-8-2014-of-12-march-2014-amending-law-no.-5/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
c . Regional distribution requirement e . Minimum number of candidates
Comments: Party candidates must be nominated before the National Electoral Commission up to 120 days before the election day.
Each party list must contain a number of candidates equal to the number of seats to be filled in each electoral constituency and a number of supplementary candidates not less than three and not more than the number of full candidates.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 167, 168, 177, 178: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship c . Country of birth f . Registration
Comments: Mozambican citizens by birth above 18 years old, who are registered in the electoral roll, are eligible to stand for elections to the Assembly of the Republic.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 159: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
b . In presidential elections
Comments: Candidates to the post of President of the Republic may be nominated by groups of citizen voters, supported by a minimum of ten thousand registered voters, duly identified.
Candidates for legislative elections can only be nominated by political parties or coalitions.
Source: Constitution, art. 147 (2), 170 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/mozambique-constitution-portuguese-version/view (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 135 (2), 177 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/02
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments: Political parties participating in legislative elections shall receive direct funding from the State budget by the 21st day before the beginning of the electoral campaign period. They are also allowed to use public premises for campaign meetings and free airtime on public media.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 26, 27, 31, 34, 37 (2), 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance d . Based on number of candidates put forward in present election
Comments: Public funding in relation to legislative elections is distributed in proportion to the number of candidates put forward by each political party.
Public funding in relation to presidential campaigns is distributed in equal parts.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
National Electoral Commission, Regulation n.º 58/CNE/2014 on the distribution of public funding to political parties, art. 2, 3: http://www.stae.org.mz/Deliberacoes2014/CNE-%20Del%2058%20Criterios%20de%20distribuicao%20de%20fundos%209.07.2014%20STC.pdf (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Electoral financing is regulated by electoral law, which permits parties to finance campaigns through contributions from candidates and party or coalition funds, through contributions from national or foreign citizens, monies generated through campaign activities, contributions from friendly foreign or national parties or contributions from NGOs, whether local or foreign.
Source: Law No. 7/91 of 23 January 1991 on Political Parties, art. 17 (a, b): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/legisSectores/politica/lei%20dos%20partidos%20politicos.pdf (2014);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 37 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: Counting takes place immediately after close of polls, in polling stations by presiding officer and polling officers, under the observation of candidate/party agents and observers.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 89, 90: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
Verified: 2024/12/04
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request e . Court order
Comments: In the event of irregularities at any polling station, the National Electoral Commission, the Constitutional Court, or any candidate may demand a recount.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 196A: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2024/12/04
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: During an electoral period political parties running for the elections have
the right to receive equal and regular airtime on the national radio and television.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 21, 31, 34: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
National Electoral Commission, Regulation n.º 60/CNE/2014 on the Distribution of Free Broadcast Time, art. 12: http://www.stae.org.mz/Deliberacoes2014/CNE-%20Del%2060%20Regulamemto%20Tempo%20Antena%202014.pdf (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
c . No
Comments:
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
National Electoral Commission, Regulation n.º 60/CNE/2014 on the Distribution of Free Broadcast Time: http://www.stae.org.mz/Deliberacoes2014/CNE-%20Del%2060%20Regulamemto%20Tempo%20Antena%202014.pdf (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/13
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
f . 10 or more days
Comments: No opinion polls may be published between the start of the campaign period and until the official results are declared. The campaign period starts 45 days before the election.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections, art. 18, 24
Verified: 2013/04/15
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There is no campaign expenditure limit imposed on political parties.
Source: Law No. 7/91 of 23 January 1991 on Political Parties: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/legisSectores/politica/lei%20dos%20partidos%20politicos.pdf (2013);
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections
Verified: 2013/04/15
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 73, 136, 159 (c), 179 (2-f), 292 (2): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Constitutional amendments touching certain fundamental constitutional principles must be approved by referendum.
Source: Constitution, art. 292 (2): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Questions of national interest may be subject to a referendum.
Source: Constitution, art. 73, 136, 159 (c), 179 (2-f): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 73, 136, 159 (c), 179 (2-f), 292 (2): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 73, 136, 159 (c), 179 (2-f), 292 (2): http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/Legisla/constituicao_republica/constituicao.pdf (2013)
Verified: 2013/04/15
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections j . Other
Comments: "The right to vote shall be exercised at the polling station corresponding to the place where the voter has been registered."
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 66, 77: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2024/12/04
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Citizens who reside and have been registered abroad can exercise their voting rights at their Republic of Mozambique embassies and consulates.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 10 (2), 11: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2024/12/04
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates c . Special polling stations
Comments: Citizens who reside and have been registered abroad can exercise their voting rights at their Republic of Mozambique embassies and consulates.
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 10 (2), 11, 44 (6): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2024/12/04
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: "...the voter shall enter the voting booth, where, alone, s/he shall put a cross or fingerprint mark in the square next to the candidature for which s/he votes, and fold the ballot paper in four."
Source: Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 78 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014).
Verified: 2024/12/04
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