Mozambique vote: no suspense - but some disillusion

Maputo Across Maputo are red flags pierced by harsh sunlight and faded walls plastered with posters of Frelimo, the party that has been in power in Mozambique for half a century.

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In the vibrant capital of the Portuguese-speaking country, the lack of suspense is palpable days ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections, but it still stirs emotion.

Frelimo will be declared the winner, as it always is, says a 33 year old selling cellphone airtime on the street.

"Our elections are never transparent because people vote but the results are manipulated," says the vendor, who would only give his name as Jorge.

The destitute southern African country with high levels of inequality needs elections to bring changes, says a security guard chatting among other vendors.

"A lot of things are getting worse... especially in the rural areas - there is nothing there. We don't have schools, hospitals, water, electricity," says Jose, 29, who would not give his surname.