The Mozambique Electoral Commission (CNE) is established under the Constitution. Since its establishment, membership has varied between seventeen (13) and nineteen (19). The Commissioners are elected by Parliament in terms of political party representation in Parliament. The chairperson of the Commission is elected by the Commissioners appointed in terms of political party representation after nomination by civil society. The Commissioners are appointed for a five-year term.
The Constitution provides that the Commission is an independent and impartial body. Therefore even though the Commissioners are appointed on the basis of political party representation in Parliament, they are required to act impartially. To ensure that the Commission is accountable, it is required to publish all its decisions in the state journal.

The administration of the Commission is managed by the Technical Secretariat for Election Management (STAE), which is a state body. It is headed by a General Director, who is appointed by the President after a public nomination process. The General Director is assisted by two deputies during election period. These are nominated by the political parties that are represented in Parliament. The other staff members of STAE are appointed through a public bid based on professional and technical background. This body is accountable to the Commission.

The functions of the Commission and STAE are:

• Registration of voters; and
• Supervision and conduct of all electoral processes.

The Commission is funded by both the government and donors, with the latter providing the bulk of the funds.