PGR urges patience from candidates, warns of prison sentences of up to 8 years for inciting violence
The Office of the Attorney General (PGR) has called on political candidates and their supporters to patiently await the official results of the general and legislative elections held on October 9, warning against actions that could constitute electoral crimes. In a press statement released on Monday, the PGR stressed the importance of adhering to the laws governing the electoral process and cautioned against self-declarations of victory and incitement to violence, which could lead to prison sentences of up to 8 years.
The statement noted that certain political groups have been using digital platforms to incite violence and instability, actions which are considered illegal. The PGR urged all involved parties to wait for the official results from the electoral commissions and to avoid disturbances.
This appeal follows an incident in which Venâncio Mondlane, the presidential candidate from the PODEMOS party, declared himself the winner of the elections during a live broadcast on Facebook, accusing the National Elections Commission (CNE) of manipulating the reported results. Opposition parties, including MDM and PODEMOS, have also held press conferences rejecting the preliminary results announced by the electoral authorities.
The PGR highlighted that violations of electoral regulations, particularly regarding incitement to hatred and violence, could result in prison sentences ranging from 2 to 8 years, as stipulated by Mozambican law.
The statement reaffirmed the PGR’s commitment to investigating any electoral irregularities brought to its attention, ensuring that all cases will be handled in accordance with the law.
This announcement comes as debates over the transparency of the electoral results intensify, particularly among opposition parties and presidential candidates, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process and the results published so far.
