MAPUTO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Mozambique's National Elections Commission (CNE) said Tuesday the voting process of the general elections started smoothly, and presidential candidates called on all players to orderly participate in the democratic process.
The October 15 general election, the first contest without a historic opposition rival and the first time to elect provincial governors in the history of the southeast African country, has four presidential candidates and 26 parties competing for legislatures and provinces.
The CNE president Abdul Carimo said the process started smoothly, which is being normally managed and without reports of major problems.
"Generally speaking, we can say that the polling stations opened in time which bodes well for the election process as a whole."
According to CNE, 13.1 million potential voters, out of nearly 30 million Mozambicans, are expected to cast their votes.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who is running for a reelection, told press after he cast his ballot that there is an unprecedented democratic openness in the present elections.
"These elections are the most widely observed at the country or regional level, the number of observers has tripled from 10,000 to over 40,000, meaning that the doors are open to all," said Nyusi.
The candidate of the ruling Frelimo party called for the country to continue in a "peaceful spirit and to show the world that Mozambique is an example of democracy and tolerance worldwide."
The presidential candidate of the main opposition Renamo, Ossufo Momade said voters should exercise their duty to consolidate the multiparty democracy in the country.
MDM party's candidate Daviz Simango said he hoped the electoral bodies may "create conditions for the process to be transparent, free and fair."
Former President Joaquim Chissano said this is a defining moment for Mozambicans to move on toward peace and reconciliation.
"The people are to be congratulated. We have had no cases of political violence," said Chissano who told the press that peace is anticipated after the announcement of the results.
