October elections likely to be postponed

Presidential and parliamentary elections are likely to be postponed until next year, the Mozambican media reported on Tuesday. Jamisse Taimo, Chairman of the National Electoral Commission was quoted as saying that the “elections will not be held this year as originally scheduled.” The ‘Noticias’ newspaper reported that the October timetable had become impossible as it seemed unlikely that voter registration would be completed by 18 September. It added that an alternative date for December had been considered but this was in the middle of the rainy season which would make it difficult for voters to cast their votes.