Comissão Nacional de Eleições

The Comissão Nacional deEleições, commonly known by its acronym CNE, is the electoral management body of Mozambique. Its headquarters are located in the country’s capital region, reflecting its national mandate. As the institution tasked with overseeing the electoral process, it operates under the legal framework that governs elections in Mozambique. The CNE’s primary function is to ensure that elections are conducted in a transparent, orderly, and credible manner.

In carrying out its mandate, the CNE is responsible for a range of activities that include the preparation of voter registers, the accreditation of political parties and candidates, and the logistical arrangements for polling stations. It also supervises the conduct of voting, the counting of ballots, and the publication of results. By coordinating with various governmental and non‑governmental stakeholders, the body seeks to uphold the integrity of the electoral cycle. Its work is intended to foster public confidence in the democratic process.

On September 22, 2024, the CNE experienced a cyberattack that targeted its webpages, disrupting operations during a critical period preceding the general elections. The incident occurred on a Sunday morning, and the electoral management body reported that it regained control of its systems after the breach. In response, the CNE initiated security enhancements to mitigate further risks, although the full consequences of the attack remained under assessment at the time of reporting. The attack took place amid heightened political tensions, with opposition parties voicing criticism over alleged procedural irregularities in election oversight, though investigators found no direct link between those disputes and the cyber incident. The episode highlights the vulnerability of electoral institutions to digital threats and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for bodies such as the CNE. While the organization continues to focus on its core electoral responsibilities, it is also evaluating the impact of the breach on its infrastructure and services. The CNE’s commitment to strengthening its defenses reflects a broader trend among election authorities worldwide to safeguard democratic processes against cyber interference. Ongoing monitoring and adaptation will be essential as the commission prepares for future electoral events.