Article: Voters stay away but Frelimo romps home: apathy characterised the presidential and legislative elections in Mozambique. These are sure signs, says Tom Nevin, that the public is losing confidence in the ability of the ruling party, Frelimo, to deliver on its promises.

It is said that the most momentous of elections are held in times of crisis: in economic chaos, political upheaval and social dissatisfaction. If the converse is true then, in Mozambique, apathy rules. Its December 2004 poll was characterised by two interrelated features--a low turnout and disinterest in both Frelimo, the governing party, and the opposition, Renamo.

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There was never any doubt that Frelimo would be returned for a third term--and it was--but in an election that was lacklustre and largely ignored, with just 36% of the electorate bothering to vote.

The problem, it seems, is that Frelimo no longer appears to excite ...

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