The two main opposition parties were at a clear disadvantage in Quelimane, and the end of the campaign Sunday was not totally peaceful.

For Renamo, the final days of the 45 day marathon were difficult, with one arrest and one injury after a confrontation between one of its parades and a Frelmo shock group (grupo de choque). Renamo spokesperson Noé Mavereca said the incident occurred in Brandão neighbourhood on the edge of the city

The Renamo parade was going toward the "3 Fios" open space when it was confronted by the shock group which stoned it as it passed the Brandão market, causing one injury and damaging a car in the parade.

But that was just the start. Renamo president Afonso Dhlakama had already arrived at "3 fios" where he found Frelimo posters everywhere.

He decided to continue, but when he was ready to start, the neighbourhood secretary arrived and ordered Renamo to leave because this space had been reserved by Frelimo. When Renamo refused, the neighbourhood secretary called the police. Eventually the rally took place, but by them most people had gone home.

The day after, Renamo paid the price, when a Renamo member was detained by the police as he returned from the mosque, allegedly for being part of the parade that retaliated against Frelimo stone throwing.

For MDM the problems have been more the destruction of campaign material - posters are pulled down within a day.

Frelimo has had it much easier. Its Zambézia campaign team is led by Prime Minister Luísa Diogo and governor Carvalho Muária. When they travel they are accompanied by department heads and a police escort, and it is hard to tell if this is government mission or part of the campaign. The police seem more favourable to Frelimo, and there have been no arrests of Frelimo members, even though they have been involved in scuffles with the opposition.

MDM party agent José Manuel also complains of frequent use of state vehicles by Frelimo throughout the entire campaign.