Maputo — Judging by the results announced over Wednesday night and early on Thursday morning by Radio Mozambique and Mozambique Television (TVM), Mozambique's ruling Frelimo Party is heading for a landslide victory in the country's fourth multi-party general elections.

The radio and TVM reports all come from the results sheets posted at the polling stations after the initial count. All are unofficial, in the sense that they have not yet been confirmed by the National Elections Commission (CNE).

From all districts where the radio has reporters the picture is much the same - the incumbent president, Armando Guebuza, has an easy lead, and the main interest is over who will occupy second place, and thus become the leader of the opposition. Will Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the former rebel movement Renamo, be displaced by Daviz Simango, mayor of Beira, and leader of the Mozambique Democratic Movement?

Here are a few of the results announced overnight.

From ten polling stations in the town of Mocuba, in the central province of Zambezia:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 6,318 Daviz Simango (MDM) 541 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 472

From seven polling stations in Buzi district, Sofala province, once regarded as a Renamo stronghold:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,853 Daviz Simango (MDM) 937 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 210

From six polling stations in the town of Metangula, on the shores of Lake Niassa:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,964 Daviz Simango (MDM) 159 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 34

From 20 polling stations in the district of Cuamba, also in Niassa province:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 6,067 Daviz Simango (MDM) 597 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 435

From 20 polling stations in Gondola district, in the central province of Manica:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 4,164 Daviz Simango (MDM) 944 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 909

From 22 polling stations in Massinga district, in the southern province of Inhambane, generally regarded as a Frelimo stronghold:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 5,690 Daviz Simango (MDM) 569 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 303

From 21 polling stations in the neighbouring district of Vilankulo, on the Inhambane coast:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 5,239 Daviz Simango (MDM) 849 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 157

From 38 polling stations in Dondo district, in Sofala:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 8,841 Daviz Simango (MDM) 3,264 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 2,200

From 16 polling stations in Chibuto district, in Gaza province, the part of the country where Frelimo is at its strongest:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 7,530 Daviz Simango (MDM) 240 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 88

From eight polling stations in the city of Chokwe, also in Gaza:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 3,150 Daviz Simango (MDM) 53 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 10

From 12 polling stations in Alto Molocue district, in Zambezia:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 2,679 Daviz Simango (MDM) 230 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 548

From three polling stations in Pemba, capital of the northern province of Cabo Delgado:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,231 Daviz Simango (MDM) 177 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 90

From eight polling stations in Balama district, Cabo Delgado:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,582 Daviz Simango (MDM) 93 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 435

From 24 polling stations in Marromeu district, on the south bank of the Zambezi:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 4,905 Daviz Simango (MDM) 663 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 1,229

From seven polling stations in Guro district, Manica province:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,238 Daviz Simango (MDM) 63 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 133

From 11 polling stations in Maganja da Costa district, in Zambezia:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,708 Daviz Simango (MDM) 293 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 655

From 11 polling stations in Govuro district, in the northern part of Inhambane:

Armando Guebuza (Frelimo) 1,780 Daviz Simango (MDM) 1,187 Afonso Dhlakama (Renamo) 833

The result from Govuro is the only one so far where the combined opposition vote is larger than the Frelimo vote.

The results for the parliamentary elections are broadly in line with the presidential results. Frelimo is in the lead in every district from which the radio has announced results.

The MDM was only on the ballot paper in four provinces. In at least one of these, Maputo City, it seems certain to come second, on the basis of the results so far available.