The observers recognise that an electoral system governed by a whole series of constantly changing pieces of legislation "responds to the outcome of political dialogue between the main parties, Renamo and Frelimo, rather than taking a holistic review of the electoral framework."

Stop the inclusion of fraudulent results: Under Renamo pressure, the parties agreed an electoral court system which could intervene to redress misconduct and errors by election commissions, STAEs, and polling stations.

Civil society members to be non-partisan

Members of the National Elections Commission (CNE) "do not represent the public or private institutions or political or social institutions they come from, and defend the national interest", says the electoral law.

For the 2008-9 elections, parliament (AR) agreed a dramatic change - a majority of CNE members, including the chair (presidente) were nominated by Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to try to force some independence and neutrality.

But this agreement between Frelimo and Renamo to select party aligned CSO members is not specified in the electoral law and clearly goes against the spirit of the law.