Maputo — "There are no winners or losers", in the internal elections within Mozambique's ruling Frelimo Party, declared Veronica Macamo, of the Frelimo Political Commission, on Wednesday.

Macamo headed the party brigade that organised the election of Frelimo's parliamentary candidates in Maputo province. Addressing a ceremony in the city of Matola at which the candidates were presented to the public, she declared "we had very good candidates". The fact that some did not win positions on the list for the 28 October general election did not reflect badly on them, but was the inevitable result of having more candidates than places.

"Some candidates were more consensual than others, and since the number of places is small, some could not make it", she said.

The secret ballot election followed "rule of total transparency", said Macamo, which was why everybody in Frelimo could be pleased at the result.

The list consisted of "dedicated, capable and experienced candidates", she added. "We shall win, because we have the best candidates, starting with our candidate for the presidency, Armando Guebuza".

Macamo described Guebuza as "unbeatable". He would win a second term of office, she predicted because "there is no other candidate in any condition to beat the Frelimo candidate".

Maputo province has 16 seats in the country's parliament, the Assembly of the Republic (although this number could be altered when the results of the current voter registration exercise are known). The Political Commission chose Macamo to head the Maputo provincial list, but the other 15 were elected by party branches and committees, culminating in a conference of the Maputo Provincial Committee last weekend.

In the election of candidates, the young radio presenter Edmundo Galiza-Matos Junior topped the list. Also among the first few names, and thus virtually guaranteed a seat in parliament, are Finance Minister Manuel Chang, and Provincial Governor Telmina Pereira.

Frelimo also presented its 65 full and 44 supplementary candidates for the Maputo provincial assembly. The elections for the provincial assemblies will be held on the same day, 28 October, as the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Mm/pf (355)