Anne Pitcher, Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and Political Science, Featured in The Washington Post
Mozambique just completed its sixth general elections on Oct. 15 — marking 25 years of democratic rule that began in 1994 after the end of a long civil conflict. Voters chose from among four presidential candidates, and also elected the National Assembly, and legislative assemblies in all 10 provinces.
Unlike the U.S. “winner take all” system, inMozambique, parties — not candidates — claim national or provincial seats according to the percentage of votes they receive. For the first time, the party with a majority of votes in the provincial elections will also select the provincial governor.