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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Mozambique votes in national poll | Mozambique votes in national poll |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Mozambique is voting in elections for a new president, parliament and regional assemblies. | Mozambique is voting in elections for a new president, parliament and regional assemblies. |
| The governing party, Frelimo, which has been in power since independence in 1975, is widely expected to win, helped by splits in the opposition. | The governing party, Frelimo, which has been in power since independence in 1975, is widely expected to win, helped by splits in the opposition. |
| The current President, Armando Guebuza, says he will work towards national unity and development. | The current President, Armando Guebuza, says he will work towards national unity and development. |
| His two opponents, Afonso Dhlakama and Daviz Simango, said it was time to end Frelimo's monopoly of power. | His two opponents, Afonso Dhlakama and Daviz Simango, said it was time to end Frelimo's monopoly of power. |
| As well as the presidency, Frelimo currently holds 160 seats in the 250-seat parliament. | As well as the presidency, Frelimo currently holds 160 seats in the 250-seat parliament. |
| Polls opened at 0600 (0400GMT) and will close at 1800, with early results expected later on Wednesday. | Polls opened at 0600 (0400GMT) and will close at 1800, with early results expected later on Wednesday. |
| Export drop | Export drop |
| Frelimo has held power since independence, fighting a civil war until 1992 with Renamo, which was backed by the white minority government in South Africa. | Frelimo has held power since independence, fighting a civil war until 1992 with Renamo, which was backed by the white minority government in South Africa. |
| Davis Simango is seeking change | Davis Simango is seeking change |
| Recent economic reforms have given the country strong GDP growth, although the effects of the world economic crisis have made themselves felt, and exports have dropped significantly this year. | Recent economic reforms have given the country strong GDP growth, although the effects of the world economic crisis have made themselves felt, and exports have dropped significantly this year. |
| Afonso Dhlakama, a veteran Renamo leader, is President Guebuza's main opponent. He says he will not contest the presidency again if he loses this election. | |
| Daviz Simango's Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), which was only formed nine months ago after splitting from Renamo, has been excluded from fielding candidates in nine of the 13 parliamentary regions. | Daviz Simango's Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), which was only formed nine months ago after splitting from Renamo, has been excluded from fielding candidates in nine of the 13 parliamentary regions. |
| He says that Frelimo is trying to stifle the opposition, but the country's Constitutional Council rejected MDM appeals to contest polls nationwide, saying its registration papers were not in order. | He says that Frelimo is trying to stifle the opposition, but the country's Constitutional Council rejected MDM appeals to contest polls nationwide, saying its registration papers were not in order. |
| Mr Simango, formerly mayor of the country's second city Beira, says that Frelimo's policies have favoured the south of the country at the expense of other regions. | Mr Simango, formerly mayor of the country's second city Beira, says that Frelimo's policies have favoured the south of the country at the expense of other regions. |
| "We want to change this scenario," said Mr Simango. | "We want to change this scenario," said Mr Simango. |
| In all, 19 parties are taking part in the elections, but several more were barred by the Constitutional Council. | In all, 19 parties are taking part in the elections, but several more were barred by the Constitutional Council. |