afrol News, 27 August - All systems are go for next week polls in Angola where voters will after 16 years get an opportunity to elect representatives to the legislature.

According to Angolan National Electoral Commission's spokeman Adao de Almeida, polling stations will open for 5 September elections at 5am to pave way for preparation for election material, stating that stations will remain open until 6pm to give voters enough time to cast their ballots.

"Propaganda materials will remain at least 500 meters away from polling stations on election date and no political activities will be allowed near poll stations," he reminded.

Meanwhile 2,500 observers have been recruited by National Platform of Angolan Civil Society for Elections (PNASCAE) to observe 5 September elections.

According PNASCAE, Non-Governmental Organisation's election observers will be deployed in the country's 18 provinces, in accordance with the political reality and geographic extension of each region.

PNASCAE said some of recruited observers would be deployed permanently at centres, while others would be temporary.

Earlier this week, Southern African Development Community observer mission applauded Angola's preparations for the forthcoming 05 September legislative elections, amid accusations by Human Rights Watch that Angola's electoral campaign did not guarantee a free and fair poll as the country runs for its parliamentary elections.

Only 10 political parties and four alliances have been cleared to contest parliamentary elections scheduled early next month. More than 5,000 candidates will contest 220 parliamentary seats.

Angola has been recovering from years of civil war and wants to set an example to other states within the continent, following disputed polls in Kenya and Zimbabwe. The 5 September polls will be first national vote in 16 years.

September polls will choose representatives for the Luanda parliament, while presidential polls are expected in 2009.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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