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Mozambique votes in close poll between Frelimo and Renamo Mozambique polls close in battle between Frelimo and Renamo
(about 21 hours later)
Elections are being held in Mozambique, with the governing Frelimo party facing a tough challenge from Renamo, its longstanding rival. Votes are being counted in Mozambique after presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday.
Frelimo has dominated politics since independence from Portugal in 1975. Voting was extended at some stations amid reports of a large turnout in what observers said were peaceful elections.
It has fought Renamo at the ballot box and in an on-off civil conflict. The Renamo leader came out of hiding to contest the polls. The governing Frelimo party is facing a tough challenge from longstanding rival Renamo, who it has fought at the ballot box and in an on-off civil conflict.
Mozambique is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, with billions of dollars worth of natural resources.Mozambique is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, with billions of dollars worth of natural resources.
The country remains one of the world's poorest.The country remains one of the world's poorest.
The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in the capital, Maputo, says Renamo's last-minute entry has made this the most fiercely contested election since independence in 1975. Frelimo has dominated politics since independence from Portugal in 1975 but Renamo's leader, Afonso Dhlakama, came out of hiding to run for the presidency.
The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza in the capital, Maputo, says Renamo's last-minute entry has made this the most fiercely contested election since independence.
Campaigning was largely peaceful, despite some reports of clashes.Campaigning was largely peaceful, despite some reports of clashes.
Mozambique's economy was battered by the 16-year conflict between Frelimo, the party of the rebels who fought Portuguese colonialism, and Renamo, a guerrilla movement backed by white-minority governments in South Africa and Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.Mozambique's economy was battered by the 16-year conflict between Frelimo, the party of the rebels who fought Portuguese colonialism, and Renamo, a guerrilla movement backed by white-minority governments in South Africa and Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.
The conflict ended in 1992, after the deaths of an estimated one million people. Renamo took up arms again in 2013 but in August agreed a ceasefire.The conflict ended in 1992, after the deaths of an estimated one million people. Renamo took up arms again in 2013 but in August agreed a ceasefire.
The opposition argues that only a small elite associated with Frelimo have reaped the benefits of Mozambique's new-found prosperity.The opposition argues that only a small elite associated with Frelimo have reaped the benefits of Mozambique's new-found prosperity.
A relatively new party, the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), led by the mayor of the second city, Beira, has also been gaining ground and could make gains in the parliamentary vote.A relatively new party, the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), led by the mayor of the second city, Beira, has also been gaining ground and could make gains in the parliamentary vote.
The presidential candidates
Correspondents say that Frelimo has held on to power partly because of its liberation movement credentials but also because Renamo has failed until now to present a political alternative that reaches out beyond its core supporters.Correspondents say that Frelimo has held on to power partly because of its liberation movement credentials but also because Renamo has failed until now to present a political alternative that reaches out beyond its core supporters.
President Armando Guebuza, a former millionaire businessman, is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms.President Armando Guebuza, a former millionaire businessman, is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms.
The presidential candidates
Analysts say changes in the electoral law, which mean the two main parties have representatives at the National Electoral Commission (CNE), should ensure the legislative and presidential count is more transparent.Analysts say changes in the electoral law, which mean the two main parties have representatives at the National Electoral Commission (CNE), should ensure the legislative and presidential count is more transparent.
The European Union is sending election observers, as is the US-based Carter Center, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union. The European Union sent election observers, as did the US-based Carter Center, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union.
More than 10.7 million people are registered to vote in the country's 11 provinces, as well as more than 89,500 Mozambicans in the diaspora.More than 10.7 million people are registered to vote in the country's 11 provinces, as well as more than 89,500 Mozambicans in the diaspora.