Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

This problem was high on the agenda at the second of four dialogue meetings held on 15 July in the Mozambican capital Maputo and organised with the support of NIMD and the British High Commission.

While the first meeting in the dialogue series focussed on the issues of campaign and political party funding, this second meeting was charged with finding mechanisms for dialogue and information sharing between the CNE and the political parties.

Fifty six participants attended, and were drawn from political parties, members of civil society organisations, the CNE itself and other likeminded organisations. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Gomes Zitha, a member of the Electoral Observatory.

Two researchers from the Centro de Estudos Moçambicanos e Internacionais (Center for Mozambican and International Studies, CEMO) made a presentation on their study of the issues surrounding the lack of communication between CNE and the parties.

Part of the problem is that the CNE tries to play the role of referee and player at the same time. In addition, opposition political parties see the CNE as deeply influenced by the ruling party.

In fact, the CEMO study describes the relationship between the CNE and the opposition political parties as a "dialogue of the deaf", based on imbalances of power and a refusal to share electoral information - for example regarding the acceptance and rejection of candidate lists.

From the discussion following the presentation it was concluded that there is a need to strengthen the role of the CNE and political parties as a way to help Mozambique to consolidate multiparty democracy and build sustainable peace through free, fair and transparent elections.

Participants also recommended that the CNE develop a clear and consistent communication strategy, stressing the important potential role played by a spokesperson and a director of communication in improving the image of the organisation.

On the other side of the equation, participants also acknowledged the need for more training for political parties' staff and election observers in areas such as legislation and the monitoring and evaluation of electoral processes.

Finally, it was recommended that the CNE and the political parties create a common platform for information sharing, leading to a dialogue where the CNE's decision-making processes become more participatory and transparent.

The third dialogue meeting, which will focus more deeply on the acceptance and rejection of candidates lists by the CNE, will take place in Maputo on 19 August.

Read more about NIMD's Mozambique programme.