On 23 August 2017, Angolans will go to the polls to vote in the fourth legislative elections since independence. This year’s elections mark a historical change as longtime ruler President Eduardo dos Santos will step down after 38 years in power. The political party that wins the most parliamentary seats will elect the president. 
 

There are 6 parties competing for parliamentary control, and ultimately the presidency, however it is expected that João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, current Defence Minister and candidate of the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) will be the next president of Angola. The main opposition candidate is Isaias Henrique Ngola Samakuva of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the second largest political part in Angola after MPLA. However the ruling authoritarian government has left opposition parties virtually powerless. In the most recent polls in 2012, MPLA won 70% of the vote, and opposition party UNITA won only 18%. 
 

Facts and Figures 

- To win the election, the political parties compete for parliamentary control, and the party that wins the majority of seats elects the President. 

- Presidential elections will be held on 23 August 2017 

- Official campaign period began on 22 July and will end on 21 August

- Total population of Angola is 28.81 million (as of 2016) 

- 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote in the 2017 Elections 

- There are 12,152 polling stations 

- There are 6 parties running in this election 

- In 2012 the MPLA won 70% of the vote, and UNITA, the second largest political party in Angola won 18% of the vote. 

- The National Electoral Commission (CNE) is responsible for conducting and supervising the elections 

- The NEC is expecting about 3,000 national and international election observers

- Voters must be 18 years old and above, and have no undischarged bankruptcy, criminal conviction, dual citizenship, or be declared insane 

- Presidential candidates must be at least 35 years of age 

- Elections are held every five years.

 

The African Union (AU), Southern African Development Community Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are among key observers in this election. The EU was to observe this election, but withdrew after Angola rejected their demands for unrestricted access to polling stations across the nation.


AEP