Maputo 03 September 2008 – The 2nd of September, the two Electoral Management Bodies in Mozambique, CNE (National Commission for Elections) and STAE (Technical Secretariat for Administration of Elections), launched a Media Centre in Maputo. It is expected that the Centre will provide a handy means to provide stories on electoral processes using widely viewed television shows, radio networks and print media.

This is one of the areas that UNDP has decided to support in relations to elections, aiming at stakeholder inclusiveness in development activities through employing effective communication modalities and strategies.

Within the framework of support for democratic governance, UNDP has provided in 2008 US$ 540,000 to CNE/STAE that is currently being used to build capacities of these institutions to respond to the needs for the effective administration of the upcoming elections.

Capacity development to achieve democratic governance requires direct address to strengthening institutions involved in governing activities that go beyond elections. In addition to making sure that the electoral administration is effective, it is important to work with entities such as justice sector to build institutional capacities in the areas of administration of justice and law enforcement to ascertain a sustained effectiveness in providing services to the citizens and promoting information sharing. These issues must be integrated and addressed as part of civic education and citizen awareness in the process of creating awareness to the population. The role of the Media Centre in this process is paramount.

UNDP in particular, supported the establishment of this Media Centre by assisting the Government in terms of providing communication facilities and supporting staff training. Thus we believe that this would bring a totally new communication component to the electoral management.

The Media Centre would encourage greater interactions with journalists on covering elections and on disseminating the information to the public, to contribute to transparent and credible elections in Mozambique.

The Centre will further provide a useful tool to promote women’s participation in political activities through women-oriented coverage on technical and legal issues of elections. It is pleasing to note that the Centre would be supported by the website which has been constructed to maintain a constant flow of information to the public.

The launching ceremony of the Centre was honored by the presence of UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Ndolamb Ngokwey, President of CNE, Director General of STAE, member of CNE and STAE, invited guests, development partners representatives and other dignitaries.

During his intervention on the launching ceremony Mr. Ndolamb Ngokwey said “We look forward to a communication approach that is open and transparent with accurate and well researched information. The key messages from the Centre would aim to be educative and informative with deeper element of objectivity. It is our hope that the Centre would maintain an updated database of journalists to ensure that the Centre channels communications in targeted directions.”

UNDP will continue to provide support to CNE and STAE to ensure fair and transparent elections in the country. UNDP will continue to support the Government of Mozambique in its efforts to mobilize resources for elections, concluded Mr. Ndolamb Ngokwey.