Parties, citizens and local elections in Mozambique 2003

Abstract

Last ned gratis The paper is based on a study before, during and after the second local elections held in Mozambique, November 19, 2003. Field work was carried out in four municipalities and a citizen survey conducted in eight municipalities. The paper concludes that the superior (and to some extent illegitimate) logistic capacity of the ruling Frelimo party, in combination with its better organised connections with segments of the citizenry due to the municiapl power in its hands the last five years, affected the local election results. Frelimo managed much more than Renamo to mobilise its potential voters. However, low confidence in the performance capacity of the municipal system and its leaders, contributed to the low voter turn-out (of 26 percent).