Maputo — Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano on Thursday called on the National Elections Commission (CNE) to carry out its tasks with "impartiality and responsibility".
He was speaking after swearing Rev Arao Litsuri into office as the CNE chairperson. Litsuri was elected by the other 18 members of the CNE on Wednesday. He is a Lutheran pastor and the chairperson of the Mozambique Christian Council (CCM), which proposed him for the post.
Chissano urged the CNE to seek for consensus when taking its decision, but warned that the search for consensus "should not prejudice rapidity in taking decisions".
The president said that the CNE's job was "thorny, but also noble, and above all of great national interest".
He congratulated Litsuri for the "patriotic zeal" he had shown in accepting the challenge of leading the CNE. "We expect the same dedication from the other CNE members, always guided by the national interest", he added.
Litsuri was elected from among four candidates submitted by civil society organisations. Chissano claimed "the participation of civil society reflects a significant advance in the deepening of the democratic process in Mozambique".
He called on civil society to participate actively in the updating of the electoral registers, and in all the other steps leading up to municipal elections later this year.
Litsuri told reporters that his immediate priority was to "meet with the other CNE members, analyse the agenda, and in dialogue see what we should do next".
"I am aware that this is a great responsibility", he said.
"But somebody must take the lead. I shall make every effort to deserve the confidence placed in me".
He pledged to carry out his duties "with justice", but stressed he would not be acting alone. "Everybody should contribute to the success of the electoral process", he said.
"I hope I shall be supported by the other actors on this stage", Litsuri added. "One person alone can't do it - the other actors must also be committed".
Litsuri said he had always been the CCM's preferred candidate for CNE chairperson. But when, at meetings held across the country late last year by the Movement for Peace and Citizenship, it became clear that other organisations wanted Anglican Bishop Dinis Sengulane to take on the job, the CCM accepted that.
However, Sengulane declined the position, and when the other 18 members of the CNE invited applications on 11 January, the CCM leadership decided to submit Litsuri's name.
