By Joseph HanlonThe European Union Election Observation "Mission expresses its concerns with the delays in the tabulation of results at district and provincial levels in some provinces, and considers that such mishaps in the tabulation process, added to the absence of official public explanations about these difficulties, hinders what has been an orderly start on election day," the mission said in a statement issued this evening (Tuesday).
The provincial tabulations should all be finished today and district tabulations last Friday, and these deadlines are not being met. EU observers cite the" lack of organization and awareness of tabulation procedures, faulty handling of voting 'actas' and materials and lengthy tabulation methods."
The Mission also "regrets the obstacles posed to the access of EU observers to information on the provincial tabulation in Cabo Delgado and Zambezia, when transparency and integrity should preside over the entire electoral process according to the law."
Tabulation disorganisation
No instructions were given to district elections commissions (CDEs) as to how to do the district tabulation, which is simply supposed to be adding up the editais from all the polling stations in the city or district. With no guidance from STAE at national level, each CDE set up its own systems.
Some used computers, some used pencil and paper, and some wrote on classroom blackboards. Those with computers usually used Excel spreadsheets, but at least one tried to use Word and then stopped and started again with Excel.
Some started as soon as they received their first editais while others waited until they received them all. Some started with data submitted by telephone and SMS and some waitedg for editais. Some did everything neatly while others had papers spread around the room and different people seemed to be following different systems. Some used special rooms, others were in smaller crowded rooms, and one was done in the district STAE director's office. Some allowed party representatives to check the final table and some did not.
The best organised was Tete city CDE which set up a special room. Each result sheet was shown to observers, party agents, and journalists, then the results were read out. Data was input to a computer, and was displayed on a large screen so everyone could see the input was correct.
But few others matched that standard. In some places it was impossible to check the data being input.
Party representatives were sometimes present, but some left before the process was complete.
STAE staff protest to observers about changing results
STAE staff in two districts in Niassa protested to observers about what they saw as improper actions to change results. They said in Lichinga on Thursday night 16 October a group of people came into the district counting centre and replaced the editais submitted by polling stations with new ones they had brought. And in Chimbunila staff said STAE officials came and tried to change the numbers that had been submitted by polling stations.
Maputo correction - Renamo gains 2 seats
We made a mistake in our article on Maputo this afternoon (Bulletin 67).
After the 2009 elections Frelimo had 14 members of parliament, MDM had 3, and Renamo 1. After this election we expect Frelimo 11, Renamo 3, and MDM 2. That means Frelimo has lost 3 seats, MDM has lost 1, and Renamo has gained 2. (There are 2 fewer parliamentary seats for Maputo city in the coming term.)
District results
The files are getting too large to circulate by e-mail. The most recent results, of 80 districts, are posted on http://ift.tt/1qmqLwj