ADVERTISEMENT

Opposition parties call for election recount

Four opposition parties in Angola on Sunday called for a recount in last week's general election, alleging "irregularities" during the vote that kept the ruling party in power.

The MPLA party of former president Jose Eduardo Dos Santos won just over 61 percent of the votes cast on Wednesday and an absolute majority with 150 of the 220 seats in parliament, according to a provisional vote count.

The commission is due to release the official results on Wednesday.

Isaias Samakuva, head of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), read a statement to reporters saying the process to determine definitive election results "was not conducted, in a large number of cases, in accordance with the law".

ADVERTISEMENT

The statement was signed by three other leaders of Angola's main opposition parties.

Besides "irregularities," the coalition cited "the disappearance of ballot boxes, the appearance of new ballot boxes, the disappearance of voting forms" and "the illegal presence of foreign individuals" during the counting process as reasons for contesting the vote.

But they also charged that the electoral process was "unconstitutional and illegal" and called for a recount of votes in the provinces by a commission comprised of figures from civil society and churches.

The opposition coalition warned it would contest the election through other means if their demands were not met.

The day after the vote, UNITA deputy party leader Rafael Massanga Savimbi had said it found "substantial differences" between its own tallies at voting stations and those of the electoral commission.

ADVERTISEMENT

Opposition leaders across Africa, long frustrated in their campaigns to topple firmly entrenched leaders, have been hailing the shock overturn of last month's presidential vote in Kenya, calling it an example for their own countries to emulate.

On Friday, Kenya's Supreme Court cancelled the results of the August 8 election there, which kept President Uhuru Kenyatta in office, over widespread irregularities. The country now has until October 31 to hold a new election.

According to preliminary results of the Angola election, UNITA and the Casa-CE party garnered 26 percent and 9 percent of the vote, respectively.

The MPLA, which has ruled since Angola's independence from Portugal in 1975, had predicted it would win easily, but the result showed a fall in support from the last election in 2012.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT