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MAPUTO. — Mozambique’s former rebel movement Renamo has formally requested an extension to the current voter registration period. Registration began on February 15 and is due to end on April 29.
Renamo claims that large numbers of potential voters, particularly in the most populous provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, will not be able to register by then.

Antonio Muchanga, spokesperson for Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama, announced on the independent television channel TIM on Tuesday, that Renamo had submitted a request for an extension to the National Elections Commission (CNE).

CNE spokesperson Paulo Cuinica confirmed to AIM on Wednesday that the request has indeed been received and will now be considered at a plenary meeting of the CNE.

Muchanga stressed that Renamo was motivated, not by the fact that Dhlakama himself has not yet registered as a voter, but because registration rates are still too low in several key provinces, notably Nampula and Zambezia, but also the northernmost province of Niassa. — AIM.