Record-Breaking 16.8 Million Voters Registered for Mozambique’s 2024 Elections
16.8 Million
Voters Registered
29%
More voter registrations compared to previous elections
7,000
Registration Centers
In a historic achievement, Mozambique successfully registered 16.8 million voters for the 2024 elections, breaking previous records and setting a new benchmark for electoral participation in the country. This represents a remarkable 29% increase from the 2018/2019 elections, underscoring the impact of the technology used to register all the voters.
Project
Region: Mozambique
Year: 2024
Building on Previous Election Successes
Laxton’s Election Solutions played a pivotal role in Mozambique’s electoral milestones. Their collaboration with the Technical Secretariat of the Electoral Administration (STAE) has been instrumental in refining the voter registration process, making it more accessible and efficient. The success of the 2018/2019 elections, with 13 million voters registered and a 92% turnout, was a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts, reinforcing public trust in the government and the electoral process.
Over the past three years, Laxton has continued to support STAE with robust technologies and extensive operational assistance. Laxton has worked to enhance voter enrolment and verification systems to meet international standards, ensuring greater electoral integrity, efficiency, and transparency.
Ensuring Equal Access for All
To strengthen the legitimacy of the 2024 elections, STAE aimed to expand voter registration to over 15 million citizens, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility. This goal was critical in bolstering the validity of the elections, particularly in remote and underserved regions of Mozambique.
Overcoming Logistical Challenges
With two-thirds of Mozambique’s population living in rural areas, establishing voter registration centres was challenging. The rugged terrain, poor infrastructure, and conflict zones further complicated the logistics. Yet, STAE’s commitment to ensuring every citizen’s right to vote led to several strategic initiatives:
Deployment of Reliable Equipment
Laxton provided durable, weather-resistant equipment that can withstand Mozambique’s challenging environments. These environments are characterised by high humidity, heavy seasonal rainfall, poor infrastructure, dust, and limited electricity and internet in remote areas. The compact and mobile registration kits were encased in IP67 rugged cases, making them easily transportable and suitable for operation in rural, sandy regions. The robust design and reliable components offered protection against moisture, dust, and heat, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operations across the country. Additionally, the equipment was powered by solar panels, making it fully functional even in areas without electricity. Its offline capability streamlined the registration and card issuance process, empowering many first-time voters to participate in the electoral process.
Strategic Placement of Registration Centers
To maximise voter outreach, STAE strategically located registration centres in accessible, high-traffic areas like schools. Mobile registration units were also deployed to reach sparsely populated and remote regions, staying for about a week in each location before moving on. This approach significantly enhanced voter inclusion and engagement across the country.
Voter Registration for Mozambicans Abroad
Recognising the barriers Mozambican citizens face overseas, STAE established over 100 registration centres in regions such as South Africa, Tanzania, and Europe. This initiative aimed to register around 2 million overseas voters, ensuring their participation in the democratic process.
Comprehensive Support and Solutions
Laxton has been instrumental for this project by providing:
Voter ID Printer Kit
For on-the-spot voter ID card production and issuanceSupporting Accessories
Accessories like solar panels and photo backdrops ensure operational continuity in areas without electricityIdentity Registration Software
To manage and secure voter data.CentralServer and Software
For centralised data management and integrationIn-country Training Programmes
Ensuring local teams were well-equipped to operate and maintain the equipment and systemsNationwide Technical Support and Warranty Services
Providing ongoing support and ensuring system reliability
Long-Lasting, Cost-Efficient Solutions
The durability of Laxton’s equipment has significantly reduced the Cost Per Registration (CPR), making their solutions effective and economically viable for long-term use. This longevity is crucial for the continued success of Mozambique’s electoral processes and the broader national identity initiatives.
Ensuring Equipment Integrity and Operational Security
Laxton’s voter registration system employed sophisticated biometric and encryption technology to prevent manipulation and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. A sophisticated ticketing platform was also developed to facilitate real-time monitoring and communication, allowing the in-country team to resolve any issues within 24 hours, ensuring seamless operations and minimal downtime.
Innovating with PVC Voter ID Cards
Only 9% of Mozambicans have a national ID, making the voter ID card a valuable alternative for most. The introduction of durable PVC voter ID cards could eliminate the need for re-registration in future election cycles, providing a cost-effective, reusable solution that improves voter convenience and reduces administrative burden and cost.
Rapid Skill Transfer and Process Refinement
Laxton implemented a “train-the-trainer” approach, ensuring swift and effective knowledge transfer to local teams. This method empowered local technicians to independently handle system upgrades, maintenance, and repairs, fostering sustainable technical expertise within the organization.
Pilot registration drives conducted in early 2023 across three provinces allowed Laxton to fine-tune the registration process. These pilots highlighted specific challenges, such as capturing accurate biometric data in poorly lit registration centers. Laxton’s response, including software updates and hardware adjustments, ensured that the system was fully optimised for the national rollout.
Ensuring Seamless Data Transmission and Integrity
To overcome the connectivity challenges in rural regions, Starlink was used to provide reliable high-speed internet access, ensuring that voter data was securely transmitted to the central server in Maputo. Post-registration, the data was managed centrally using Laxton’s Athena platform, coupled with Advanced Biometric Identification Systems (ABIS), which employed sophisticated algorithms to prevent fraud and maintain the credibility of the voter roll.
A solid foundation for the future of Mozambique’s democracy
The success of this voter registration project is a testament to the collaboration between STAE, NEC, and Laxton. The record-breaking registration of 16.8 million voters secured broad participation and laid the groundwork for a lasting digital identity transformation in Mozambique. As the country approaches the 2024 elections, the advancements made in voter registration underscore a robust and inclusive democratic process, setting a solid foundation for the future of Mozambique’s democracy.
