PEPE DINIZ's

Electoral Notes on

Mozambique

Text and Photographs Copyright 2003 by Pepe Diniz
(click here for Portuguese version)
(link to the "Mozambique 1999 General Elections")
(click here for information on the "Administration and Cost of Elections Project")
(see also Search Engines under "Mozambique Local Elections" and "Mozambique Peace Process Bulletin" by AWEPA)
(link to Pepe Diniz - Photography)

These Notes are related to the 1998 Local Elections in Mozambique. These elections were the first of its kind ever to take place in Mozambique with its people having free access to the polls and voting or not voting as they wished. Notwithstanding the high number of abstentions and the lack of a more imposing opposition, the people of Mozambique demonstrated an electoral maturity worthy of praise. There is no doubt that mistakes did happen and that some components of the process failed in these elections. However, considering that these were the first local elections to take place in a country in reconstruction, with great antagonisms among its political forces, one can only admire the dedication of all those involved in this electoral process. This dedication was especially striking with regard to the work carried out by the Registration Agents during the Electoral Registration Update and the members of the Polling Station Posts during the polling.

The Maputo Municipal Council (ex-City Hall)

The First 33 Municipalities (or Councils)

For the first Local Elections 33 Municipalities or Councils were created. First, by the Law 3/94 of September 13, 1994, the Assembly of the Republic approved the "Institutional Framework of the Municipal Districts" which created a legal basis for the implementation of the State local bodies reform program as well as the creation of the municipal districts of Maputo City and the Province capitals (11 cities). These districts were changed into municipalities by the Law 2/97 of February 18, 1997 (Article 116). Law 10/97 of May 31, 1997, extends the number of municipalities to another 22 towns in the Provinces.

The 33 Municipalities

Map of Mozambique showing the 33 Councils where Local Elections took place
Map - Courtesy AWEPA (Association of Western European Parlamentarians for Southern Africa)
(From: "Guia Básico sobre as Autarquias Locais," - Basic Guide about Local Councils - by Joseph Hanlon, Maputo, 1997)

The meaning and purpose of a Municipality

"In the early times, as soon as men, impelled by the instinct of sociability, or brought together by defense necessities or by entrepreneurial tasks of common interest, congregated into villages, small towns, lineages and, therefore, the need arose to start that common interest, they organized and elected a group of authorities and to this organization and to the place itself they called 'municipality' (from the latin 'municipium,' from 'munus' - function, and 'capere'- take, occupy), and the respective inhabitants became known as citizens... The municipality or council is, therefore, like a miniature of the State, because it's composed of similar elements, like: a) one exclusive territory; b) a population living in that territory congregated by common interests; c) a political power; d) administration bodies. [However] The quality of 'citizen' or inhabitant of the municipality is acquired in a different manner than that of a State citizen. To this end, it's not valid to be born in that territory (jus soli), or to be affiliated with people living in that territory (jus sanguinis), but it's indispensable to be a resident there - living permanently in that territory [municipality]." (From "Grande Enciclopédia Portuguesa Brasileira")

Objectives

The fundamental objective of the Municipality (Council) is to well serve its population. In this sense, its main purpose is to help, safeguard, maintain and defend the good operation of the structures in its territory, as well as to ensure the prevalence of its citizens' dignity.

A FEW HISTORICAL NOTES

Although there was a municipal structure in Mozambique during the colonial era, it basically served the Portuguese community in the country and the majority of the Mozambican population had little or no say in the matter and could not vote. Furthermore, the voting system, even for the Portuguese population, was not carried out in a democratic manner, as the elected officials were appointed by the colonial government. The Municipal administration began in Mozambique with the Royal Letter of May 9, 1761, written by King D. José I to Calixto Rangel Pereira de Sá, then the Governor and Captain-General of the Garrison-Post (Island) of Mozambique. The letter created the Municipality of the Island of Mozambique, which became a Village with the name of S. Sebastião (January 19, 1763).* Soon after, in 1763, other municipalities were created in the Garrison-Posts and small villages of Quelimane, Tete, Zumbo and Manica, in Sofafa (April 20, 1763), Inhambane and Querimba Islands, which were also elevated to the status of Villages. ** (* - M- Simões Alberto e Francisco A. Toscano, "O Oriente Africano Português," Lourenço Marques, 1942, p.76; ** - "Teses e Comunicações-II Colóquio Nacional de Municípios, 17-23/4/1971," 1ºVolume, Câmara Municipal de Lourenço Marques, pp.42-43).

LOURENÇO MARQUES - Today's MAPUTO

By the Decree of December 9, 1876, the Lourenço Marques Garrison-Post (established on March 19, 1782) was elevated to the status of a Village. The Decree read: "Considering that the place of Lourenço Marques has lately become very important by the progressive increase of its population and by the development of commerce, I shall order that this named place be elevated to the status of village with the designation of village of Lourenço Marques, being by my grace the respective City Council obliged to previously charge certain pays in accordance with its competent rights. Thus have heard and must carry it out the Minister and Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and acting Minister for the Overseas Navy. Paço, December 9, 1876. THE KING and JOÃO DE ANDRADE CORVO."

The First Municipal Commission

The first Lourenço Marques Municipal Commission was created by the Council Decree Nº205 of August 27, 1877. Its first session took place on September 6 of the same year (the first jurisdiction was created on November 30, 1876). The first minute of the Lourenço Marques Municipal Council is dated of September 6, 1877. Because there was no building at that time for the City Hall, regular municipal reunions took place at the Governor's Residence, the so called "Casa Amarela" (Yellow House, because of the yellowish color of its walls. This house still exists today in the city and houses the Coin Museum). Augusto de Castilho, then Governor of the Lourenço Marques District, was the first president of the Municipal Commission. Lourenço Marques citizens, Pedro António de Oliveira and Joaquim Thomaz da Fonseca were the other participants in the first Commission. The First Minute of the Village of Lourenço Marques was written on September 13, 1877 and it contained 8 by-law points. The first Town Council election took place on November 18, 1878 (sworn in on January 2, 1879).

On November 10, 1887, Lourenço Marques was elevated to the status of a town. On December, 1, 1898, it became the administrative and political capital of the Colony of Mozambique, replacing the Island of Mozambique in the North of the country, as such. Lourenço Marques was officially recognized as the capital of Mozambique as of December 1, 1907. On February 3, 1976, the name of Lourenço Marques was changed to Maputo by the then President, Samora Moisés Machel. The first Multiparty General Elections in Mozambique took place on October 27, 28, 29, 1994 and the first free and democratic Local Elections were carried out on June 30, 1998.

Maputo, capital of Mozambique

THE 1998 LOCAL ELECTIONS PROCESS

This electoral process was supervised and managed by the National Elections Commission (CNE) and was composed of one CNE President (Dr. Leonardo Simbine), appointed by the President of Mozambique and 8 other members, 4 of whom were appointed by the Parliamentary wing of FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front - the Government's party), 3 appointed by the Parliamentary wing of RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance - the main opposition party) and 1 member with technical experience (basically to deal with STAE matters), appointed by the Council of Ministers. The CNE, which acted as an independent body, even from the State, was responsible for coordinating and organizing the elections. The various electoral tasks were carried out by the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of the Elections (STAE, headed by Mr. Arménio Correia and Deputy-Director, Alberto Razul), which also acted under the CNE supervision. The financing of the electoral process came in part from the Mozambican Government and largely from the International Community, basically through the United Nations and the European Union.

THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

One of the key factors for the success of the voter registration update was to keep the population informed about what to do during the different phases of the process. In this sense, electoral Civic Education played a key role in educating the people for the local elections, a new experience for the Mozambicans. The campaign began in the entire country on October 13, 1997 and lasted until November 30, 1997. Although there were only 33 municipalities, the registration update took place in the whole country. Various manuals and guides, posters and cartoons explaining why people should vote and what local elections were about, were distributed throughout Mozambique. Civic Education Agents also went door-to-door delivering and explaining the registration process. Local Theater and Dance groups also played an important role with plays and shows to attract the population. Radio and Television spots constantly broadcasted and telecasted electoral announcements and Mobile Units and Information Centers were used to alert the population about the upcoming registration. The main task of the Civic Education Agent was to make sure that people with electoral capacity would go to the registration posts to register or update their registration case. The final results, with more elegible voters registered than the expected number, proved that the Civic Education Campaign had been a success.

The Civic Education main task was to keep the population informed about what Local Elections was all about

THE VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE

After the Voter Registration for the Multiparty General Elections of October, 1994, a registration update had to be carried out for the Local Elections in 1998. This update included New Registrations, Second-Issue Voters' Cards (for those who lost or damaged their original cards) and Transfers (for people who had changed their residence to another municipality). In all Provinces the results of the registration were very positive considering the active participation of the registed voters. Nonetheless, problems did surface. The work done by the Registration Brigades, with very few exceptions, was performed correctly and with dedication. In many cases, especially with Brigades located in the country's remote areas, the imagination and dynamic of the agents contributed to facilitate the work.

Registration began on November 10, 1997 and lasted until December 7 (after a 7 days extension period). A total of 8850 Voter Registration Agents and 1770 Civic Education personnel, distributed by 1770 registration posts, carried out the various tasks of the Voter Registration Update. Political Party Monitors from the nation's two most important parties, FRELIMO (Mozambican Liberation Front) and RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance), were present in almost every registration post. United Nations Volunteers were also present in the Provinces and Districts and helped unlock problematic logistic situations.

The main problems which marked the registration were related to some missing 1994 electoral registers (damaged by rain, poor warehousing conditions, misplacement) which amounted to 131 registers of which 68 belonged to some of the councils where the local elections would take place. There were also ommissions, repetitions and other errors in the new transcribed registers. Furthermore, a few registration kits came without films or cameras (for the voter's card photo) and, in other cases, transfer forms were missing. Also, poor management of transport facilities created difficult situations in certain Districts and municipal bounderies for a few of the towns involved had not been clearly defined. However, all these problems did not involve, in any way, "the existence of an irregularity which indicated the fraudulent adulteration of the Voter Registration results in order to satisfy the political or strategic objectives of anyone." (Arménio Correia, STAE-Central Director-General, to "Notícias," 24/1/98). One by one, solutions were found to solve the problems and this contributed for the positive outcome of the Voter Registration Update.

The work and dedication of the Voter Registration Agents during the Registration Update,
sometimes under very difficult conditions, was worthy of praise.

VOTER REGISTRATION RESULTS BY COUNCIL AFTER THE 1997 UPDATE

Source: CNE/STAE

THE DIFFICULT ROAD TO THE POLLING

Notwithstanding the fact that the Registration Update had been a success, problems remained concerning some of the missing 1994 registers and errors committed on the new transcribed ones. An especial operation to recover these registers and correct the errors began under the CNE supervision on March 30, 1998 and lasted until April 19. This operation took place only in the 33 councils selected for the local elections. Although most of the registers were found and the errors corrected, the missing registers dilemma gave rise to antagonisms between the opposition parties and FRELIMO, the Government party. This animosity had already begun on January 27, 1998, when the three CNE members who had been appointed by the parliamentary wing of RENAMO, suspended their functions at the CNE. The situation was aggravated on April 15, when 15 smaller political parties which had formed a coalition with RENAMO, also decided not to participate in the elections. Nevertheless, the CNE decided to go ahead with the elections. Many attributed this decision to the fact that there were still a good number of citizens-parties in the main cities which wanted to participate in the elections.

So, the electoral process went ahead and on May 4 started in the Province capitals a course for the training of the Members of the Polling Station Posts. On May 13, the Civic Education Campaign for the polling began at Council level and lasted until June 13. On June 15, the participating political parties in the elections began the Electoral Campaign for the polling. This day arrived on June 30, 1998, when Mozambique had its first free and democratic local elections. Again, a series of problems surfaced during the polling, chiefly in the cities of Maputo, Matola, Beira and Nampula. Missing or wrong keys to open the polling kits caused various delays and lack of electoral materials in other kits delayed operations in the polling stations. There were also a few sealing plastic ties for the ballot boxes that didn't fit and some boxes were not sealed, which gave rise to complaints and suspicion. However, this situation was compensated by the presence of Party Poll Monitors who supervised the operations. Nonetheless, if in a few cases, mainly in some of the big cities, the polling was rather chaotic, the same could not be said about the majority of the 33 councils where the elections took place under normal conditions.

The FRELIMO Party, unchallenged in most of the councils due to the non-participation of the opposition parties, won all the seats in 27 councils and most of the seats in the remaining 6. The number of abstentions, however, was rather high (85.42% for the Municipal Council election and 85.45% for the Municipal Assembly election). After all the dilemmas and election date postponements which marked this electoral process, the Mozambican population was also less than excited in participating. But, thinking globaly, it was a positive experience. Most importantly, the people has now learned that by voting they can make a difference in their own community. The next 2003 Local Elections will certainly be the continuation of this experience and of this learning.

Voting day

BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF THE 1998 LOCAL ELECTIONS PROCESS

April 21, 1995 - By Decree Nº11/95, the Council of Ministers creates the Technical Secretariat for the Administration of the Elections (STAE) and revokes Decree Nº6/94 of March 9, 1994 (about the STAE composition). The STAE has a Director-General and a Deputy-Director, both nominated by the Prime Minister. The STAE is governed by the State Administration Cabinet (MAE). However, during the electoral period, the STAE is under the National Elections Commission (CNE), which is the body in charge of the supervision of the electoral process. (Source: "Boletim da República," 3º Suplemento, April 21, 1995).

December 22, 1995 - By the Parliament's decision, a working group is created which, in consultation with the Government, will study the new timetable for the Local Elections Process. This timetable was presented to the 4th Parliamentary Session which began on February 26, 1996. (Source: "Mission Report," Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP Technical Assistance Team).

October 29, 1996 - The Parliament approves a revision of the Constitution which allows the acceptance of a "package" for the local councils law, now containing 8 distinct laws: 1) Law on Local Councils; 2) Law on Voter Registration; 3) Law on Local Councils Elections; 4)Law on the Finances of Local Councils; 5) Law on the State Administration Oversight over the Local Councils; 6) Law on the Statutes of the Councilmen and members of the Local Councils (Municipalities); 7) Law on the Special Statute of Maputo City; 8) Law on the creation of Local Councils. (Source: Synopsis of the Legal Framework Governing Local Elections and Local Councils in Mozambique," Working Document, UNDP, 1997, pp2,3).

February 18, 1997 - Law Nº 2/97 is promulgated, which approves the "legal framework for the establishment of Local Councils." (Source: "Boletim da República," 2º Suplemento, Feb. 18, 1997).

May 28, 1997 - The President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, promulgates 3 Laws for the Local Elections Process: 1) Law Nº4/97, which "creates the National Elections Commission" (CNE); 2) Law Nº5/97, which "institunalizes the systematic electoral Registration for the realization of elections and referends;" 3) Law Nº6/97, which "establishes the legal framework for the realization of elections of the bodies of the local councils." (Source: "Boletim da República," 2º Suplemento, May 28, 1997);

May 28, 1997 - In a letter addressed to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Minister of State Administration, Alfredo Gamito, in the name of the Government of Mozambique, makes a request of support to the International Community for the Local Elections Process and asks the UNDP to assume the coordination of that support by means of a framework project through a "Trust Fund." (Source: UNDP);

May 31, 1997 - The President of Mozambique promulgates 5 more Laws on the Local Elections Process: 1) Law Nº7/97, which "establishes the legal regime of the State administration oversight to which are subject the local councils;" 2) Law Nº8/97, which "defines the special norms which guide the organization and functionning of the Maputo City municipality;" 3) Law Nº9/97, which "defines the norms of the office bearers and members of the local council bodies;" 4) Law Nº10/97, which "creates municipalities of towns and villages in some territorial areas;" 5) Law Nº11/97, which "defines and establishes the legal framework for the finnancing and for the landmarks of the councils." (Source: "Boletim da República," 4º Suplemento, May 31, 1997).

June 27, 1997 - The Project-Document between the Government and UNDP is signed. A "Trust Fund" for the Local Elections Project" will be available as of the month of July.

July 2, 1997 - The National Elections Commission (CNE)is sworn in for a period of 5 years. The President of Mozambique appoints Dr. Leonardo Simbine as President of the CNE. The Council of Ministers appoints 1 member with technical experience, the Parliamentary wing of FRELIMO appoints 4 members and the Parliamentary wing of RENAMO appoints 3 members. (Source: CNE and "Mozambique Peace Process Bulletin," AWEPA,Nº 19, Sep. 1997);

July 21, 1997 - The First National Meeting of the STAE Departments takes place at the Regional Center for Sanitary Development with the purpose to enable the STAE Provincial Office Directors and Department Chiefs for the Local Elections Process. (Source: Stae Central Office);

August 5, 1997 - Parliamentary leaders of the three Parties: FRELIMO, RENAMO and UD (Democratic Union), agree in postponing the local elections to a date forseen for the first semester of 1998. (Source: STAE Press Office);

September, 1997 - Beginning of the training of the Civic Education Agents as well as of the Registration Agents for the upcoming Registration Update. (Source: STAE Press Office);

October 9, 1997 - By resolution of the Council of Ministers, the new timetable for the Electoral Registration Update is established from 10 to 30 November, 1997. (Source: STAE Press Office);

October 13, 1997 - Beginning of the Civic Education Campaign in the entire country. (Source: STAE Civic Educ. Depart.);

October 29, 1997 - The Assembly of The Republic approves changing the Laws Nº2/97 and Nº6/97, which postpones the date of the local elections for the first semester in 1998. (Source: STAE Press Office);

November 10, 1997 - Beginning of the Electoral Registration Update. Mozambican citizens will show up at the Registration Posts for the following reasons: a) Completed 18 years of age and need to be registered; b) Are eligible to vote but didn't register yet; c) Changed their place of residence; d) Lost their voting cards; e) Their voting cards were damaged. (Source: STAE Civic Educ. Depart.);

November 12, 1997 - On their ordinary 35th Session, the Council of Ministers approves the Decree which determines that the date for the local elections will be May 29, 1998. (Source: Council of Ministers);

November 28, 1997 - By Resolution Nº32/97 of November 28, the Council of Ministers extends the period of the Electoral registration Update until December 7, 1997. This extension was proposed by the CNE in vue of the fact that "the ongoing registration process had, in its initial phase, some constraints which didn't allow the registration to begin on the established dates in some provinces..." (Source: Council of Ministers, CNE);

December 11 to 20, 1997 - Exhibition of the Electoral Registers and copies of the Electoral Registers from the Registration Update, according to Article 35 of Law Nº5/97 of May 28, 1997. These Registers could be consulted by registered voters so as to correct possible inscription errors (such as lack of voter's name, incorrect or incomplete name). (Source: STAE Civic Educ. Depart. and Press Office);

February 5 to 10, 1998 - Second STAE National Meeting at "Pequenos Libombos," a small resort near Boane Village. During this meeting each Province's STAE presented the problems encountered during the Electoral Registration Update and advance possible solutions and improvements for the 2nd Phase of the electoral process. (Source: STAE Press Office);

February 19, 1998 - Official announcement by the CNE of the Electoral Registration Update results, which took place from November 10 to December 7, 1997. Two months and 12 days after the end of the Registration, the results were finally made public. This long wait was due to the work carried out by the CNE and STAE to allow viable legal solutions concerning the correction of mistakes which took place during the electoral registration. (Source: STAE Press Office);

March 6, 1998 - Beginning of the Training Course for the training of the Civic Education Agents for the Recovering Campaign of some of the missing Electoral Registers and also for the Polling. (Source: STAE-Central, Depart. of Training and Civic Education);

March 16, 1998 - The Council of Ministers, urgently meeting on this date at the request of the CNE, approves to postpone the Local Elections polling from May 29 to June 30, 1998. (Source: Council of Ministers, CNE);

March 30, 1998 - Beginning of the Recovery Operation of the Electoral Registers from the 1994 Electoral Registration which lasted until April 13 (subsequently extended to April 19). (Source: STAE Press Office);

April 27, 1998 - RENAMO Party announces to European Union representatives in the electoral process, that it will not participate in the local elections of June 30, citing various irregularities. (Source: STAE Press Office);

May 13, 1998 - Beginning of the Civic Education Campaign for the Polling in the 33 Councils. A total of 586 Civic Education Agents were distributed in the Councils to inform and educate the elligible voters about the coming polling of June 30th. (Source: STAE Civic Education Depart.);

May 21, 1998 - Presentation to the CNE by AWEPA (Association of Western Parlamentarians for Southern Africa) of the Manual for the Regulation of the Observation during the Local Elections. Contrary to the observation carried out during the General Elections of 1994, only Mozambican nationals were permitted as observers during the Local Elections of 1998. (Source: STAE Press Office);

June 15, 1998 - Beginning of the Electoral Campaign for the Polling of June 30, by the Political Parties, Groups of Political Parties and Groups of Citizens. This campaign would last until June 27. (Source: CNE);

JUNE 30, 1998 - THE FIRST FREE AND DEMOCRATIC LOCAL ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE IN MOZAMBIQUE;

July 17, 1998 - Announcement by the CNE of the polling results from the June 30th voting. This first list of results contained a few errors which were later corrected. On July 20, the Mozambican Supreme Court began the appreciation of the result maps finding six errors and asked the CNE to correct them. (Source: Supreme Court, CNE);

August 13, 1998 - After the CNE corrected the errors, the Supreme Court, in its position of Constitutional Council, validated the results of the 1998 Local Elections. (Source: Supreme Court);

November 30, 1998 - Beginning of the International Conference on the 1998 Local Elections in Mozambique, to basically analize the ups and downs of the entire Local Elections Process.

A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE

LOCAL ELECTIONS PROCESSES IN MOZAMBIQUE

These Recommendations are the result of various interviews conducted by the STAE-Central Press Office with the STAE Province Directors during the 1998 Local Elections Process

1 - Simplification of some of the rules established by the Electoral Law considering the geography and the infra-structure conditions of Mozambique;

2 - Plannification and preparation of the Electoral Process much in advance allowing time-frames for last minute changes;

3 - Anticipation, coordination and execution of logistic matters much more carefully, having back-up plans ready in case problems will arise (and they always do);

4 - Meticulous preparation of all means of transportation, one of the major problems during the electoral processes in Mozambique;

5 - Allow a longer time-frame for the training of Trainers, Registration, Civic Education and Polling Station Agents;

6 - All electoral materials must arrive in time at their destinations. Give consideration to weather and road conditions in the country;

7 - Complete checking of all electoral kits (for the Registration and Polling)and certify that no materials are missing and everything is in working order;

8 - Insist on the door-to-door contact with the population for the Civic Education campaigns and on the use of Theatrical and Dance local groups to enhance those campaigns;

9 - Seriously consider the location of the Registration and Polling Station Posts, especially in the remote areas of the country, where access could become a burden;

10 - Make certain all the Registration and Polling Station Agents know what is and what is not included in their contracts, especially as food rations are concerned;

11 - The relationship between the CNE/STAE and the press should be more flexible. Contact with the media should always be available and press conferences should take place at least every two weeks once the electoral process started.

THE D'HONDT METHOD

(Made Simple)

(Victor D'Hondt, Belgian lawyer and Civil Law Professor at the Gand University in Belgium, where he was born in 1841. Died in 1901. In "Dicionário do Voto" by Walter Costa Porto, São Paulo, Brazil, 1995).

Before entering into the D'Hondt Method let it be understood that only the Political Parties having 5% (or more) "of the national ballot votes" can be counted (Article 143 of Mozambican Law 3/99 of February 2, 1999 - "Limit of the number of votes to establish a Seat: Each candidatures' list can only establish a seat if, after the results, it has 5% of the expressed votes at national level").

In this sense, let us examine the following example

AT NATIONAL LEVEL

1 - Suppose that the total number of voters at national level was 6.000.000 (six million);

2 - 5% of 6.000.000 is 300.000 (three hundred thousand voters). Any Political Party with less than 300.000 votes is out;

3 - Suppose that, at national level, PARTY A obtained 800.000 (eight hundred thousand votes), PARTY B obtained 600.000 votes, PARTY C obtained 450.000 votes, PARTY D 350.000 votes and PARTY E 275.000 votes. By the above mentioned Article 143, PARTY E didn't qualify. Therefore, the only accepted Parties were A, B, C and D;

AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL

(Results by Electoral Circle)

4 - Each Province of Mozambique and Maputo City corresponds to an Electoral Circle (making a total of 11 Electoral Circles);

5 - Suppose that one of the Mozambique Provinces, call it, Electoral Circle X, has 8 Seats (for the concession of Seats by Electoral Circle see Article 137 of Law 3/99 of February 2, 1999);

6 - Suppose that in this Electoral Circle X, PARTY A obtained 100.000 (one hundred thousand) votes, PARTY B obtained 90.000 votes, PARTY C 120.000 votes and PARTY D 60.000 votes;

7 - By the D'Hondt Method, the number of votes obtained by each Party in that Electoral Circle, is divided successively by 1, 2, 3... until reaching 8, since this is the total number of Seats to be distributed to the Parties running in the Electoral Circle X (see Article 144 of Law 3/99 of February 2, 1999: "Criteria of the Election"). This gives us:

PARTY A - 100.000:1 = 100.000 / 100.000:2 = 50.000 / 100.000:3 = 33.333 / and successively until reaching the 8 Seats;

PARTY B - 90.000:1 = 90.000 / 90.000:2 = 45.000 / 90.000:3 = 30.000 / and successively...

PARTY C - 120.000:1 = 120.000 / 120.000:2 = 60.000 / 120.000:3 = 40.000 / and successively...;

PARTY D - 60.000:1 = 60.000 / 60.000:2 = 30.000 / 60.000:3 = 20.000 / and successively...

8 - Again, by the D'Hondt Method, in decreasing order, the 1st Seat is given to the largest quocient; the 2nd Seat is given to the next quocient. And so on, in decreasing order, until arriving at the 8th Seat (Alinea b, of Article 144 of the Law of 3/99 of February, 1999).

In this way, the following quocients were obtained:

PARTY A: quocients - 100.000; 50.000; 33.000... and succesively until reaching the 8th Seat;

PARTY B: quocients - 90.000; 45.000; 30.000; and successively...

PARTY C: quocients - 120.000; 60.000; 40.000; and successively...

PARTY D: quocients - 60.000; 30.000; 20.000; and successively...

Therefore, in decreasing order, we obtained:

120.000 (PARTY C) = 1st (First) Seat; 100.000 (PARTY A) = 2nd Seat; 90.000 (PARTY B) = 3rd Seat; 60.000 (PARTIES C and D) = 4th and 5th Seats; 50.000 (PARTY A) = 6th Seat; 45.000 (PARTY B) = 7th Seat; 40.000 (PARTY C) = 8th Seat.

Results: PARTY A = 2 Seats; PARTY B = 2 Seats; PARTY C = 3 Seats; PARTY D = 1 Seat.

The Seats total make the 8 Seats of the Electoral Circle X.

9 - In the case of a draw in the quocient to obtain the last Seat (in this example it would had been the 8th Seat), this one would be obtained by the Party which had the least number of votes (if, for example, there was a draw between Parties C and D, Party D would have obtained the Seat - see Alinea d of Article 144 of Law 3/99 of February 2, 1999).

NOTE: This D'Hondt Method example was conceived by Leonor Mendes, European Union Consultant at the STAE-Central Departments of Civic Education and Training and by Pepe Diniz, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Consultant, at the STAE-Central Press Office. Both working under those capacities during the Mozambican 1998 Local Elections Process.

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