Mozambique's ruling party candidate Chapo elected president: Video
Daniel Francisco Chapo, the candidate from Mozambique's ruling party, Frelimo, has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election.
The National Electoral Commission announced on Thursday, October 24, that Chapo secured over 70% of the vote, defeating his closest rival, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, who garnered just over 20%.
"Daniel Francisco Chapo Obtained 4,902762 votes. That's 70.67 per cent. Venancio Antonio Bila Mondlane obtained 1,402,517 votes. That accounts for 20.32 per cent," President of the National Election Commission, Carlos Matsinhe announced.
Chapo's victory extends Frelimo's nearly five-decade hold on power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
“As the Frelimo party, we want to once again reiterate our repudiation of the murders of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe as well as other citizens physically affected in this ongoing process of demonstrations,” said Chapo shortly after the results were announced in solidarity with the murdered opposition figures.
The election results have been met with mixed reactions. While Frelimo supporters celebrated the win, opposition parties and their supporters have raised allegations of electoral fraud.
Mondlane, who finished second, has called for peaceful protests and a national standstill to contest the election results. The opposition party Renamo's candidate, Ossufo Momade, finished third with less than 6% of the vote.
