Mozambique polls result delayed

International observers want the counting completed quickly

Counting in last week's parliamentary and presidential elections in Mozambique has suffered further delays.

Officials said they would not meet a target to declare results by Thursday. They blamed the delays on heavy rain and computer problems.

The main opposition candidate for the presidency - Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama - has accused the election authorities of trying to rig the poll.

International observers described the polls as generally free and fair.

Renamo representatives claim passwords to computers containing a database of results have been altered, allowing the manipulation of figures in favour of the ruling Frelimo.

The National Electoral Commission denied the allegations and accused Renamo of disrupting an already slow count.

International observers have warned the failure to complete the count quickly could raise suspicions.

They have previously described the polls as generally free and fair.

The poll has been plagued by poor turnout, with outgoing leader Joaquim Chissano saying more people would have voted if they had been paid to cast their ballot.

Mr Chissano is stepping down after 18 years in power, with five candidates vying to replace him.

Initial results suggest that Armando Guebuza, from Mr Chissano's Frelimo party is ahead but as rural votes are counted, this could easily change.

Mr Dhlakama is in second place.

Maintaining peace

Voters were also selecting members to the 250-seat National Assembly.

Vote in pictures

Mr Guebuza has been a government minister in charge of senior posts and is also reputed to be a wealthy businessman.

His supporters see in him a leader who can be trusted to maintain policies that have brought stability and progress.

Despite rapid economic growth in recent years, Mozambique remains one of the world poorest countries.

Opponents of the government argue that it has failed to address these issues and that it has favoured the southern provinces where the ruling party's support has traditionally been the strongest.

Five years ago, Mr Chissano won the poll by a margin of just four percentage points over Mr Dhlakama.