September 9, 2008

EU Praises Electoral Commission Effort

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

The effort made by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) to secure balanced legislative election and overcome constraints in an impartial and practical way was highlighted Monday in Luanda by the head of the European Union observer mission, Luisa Morgantini.

Speaking at a press conference, the vice president of the European Parliament also highlighted the role played by the Constitutional Court in leading the registration of the electoral candidates in a competent and impartial way and in line with the concerned law.

She said the electoral campaign was conducted in a calm and orderly way, despite some incidents that were settled in a prompt and impartial way by the National Police.

The European Parliament official said as well the legislative election went peacefully, thanks to the appeals made to each other by contesting political parties, during the electoral campaign.

However, the European Union observer mission chief said her organisation's report on the issue will only be submitted to Angolan Government, the National Assembly (Parliament) and to CNE in November this year.

She instead released a preliminary declaration stating that the data gathered will still be analysed at the European Parliament.

Meanwhile, the observer mission of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Saturday in Luanda released a communique considering that the election was credible, peaceful and transparent.

The Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) also considered the election as having been free, regular and transparent.

The election was also considered as having been free and transparent by the observer mission of the Portuguese Speaking Community (CPLP).

The ruling MPLA party continues at the head of the count of the provisional results of the legislative election held on September 5, with 3.9 million votes (81,62 percent), according to a CNE release.