Voting underway in Angola’s general elections

Luanda, Aug 24 (EFE).- Angolans headed to the polls on Wednesday to elect a president and a new parliament, with almost 14.4 million people eligible to vote in a tight election.

Voters are set to cast their ballots at some 13,238 polling stations across the African country until 5.00 pm (4.00 GMT).

On Tuesday, Manuel Pereira da Silva, the president of the National Electoral Commission, urged Angolans to go to the voting centers en masse and avoid any acts that could disturb public order.

Incumbent president João Lourenço, in power since 2017, is vying for a second five-year term in the election that is considered the most competitive since the multiparty democratic system was established in 1992.

Eight political formations — seven parties and a coalition — are running for the 220 seats in the National Assembly in the fifth elections since 1992.

The leader of the party that wins the most seats will automatically become the country’s president, according to the constitution.

The Lourenço-led ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) criticized for not tackling high inflation levels, poverty and unemployment. is facing a tight challenge from the main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA).

The MPLA currently holds the absolute majority in the National Assembly with 150 seats, while UNITA has only 51.

Although Angola is Africa’s second largest oil producer, many of its people live in poverty. EFE

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