By John Ikani
Angola’s electoral commission says the governing People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has registered a strong lead after the early results of Wednesday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
Polls were largely peaceful in the election that is expected to be the most closely fought since its independence in 1975.
There are eight parties taking part, but the MPLA – in charge for more than 40 years – is facing its main challenge from Unita.
The commission said that with a third of ballots counted, President João Lourenço’s party has received more than 60% of votes.
The rebel-turned opposition movement, Unita which has former rebel leader, Adalberto Costa Júnior as its candidate polled nearly 34% and has called the provisional results unreliable.
The MPLA, which has been in power for more than four decades, has been criticised for not tackling inflation, poverty and unemployment, despite huge oil wealth.
According to the law the electoral commission has 15 days to declare the outcome – but it hasn’t taken that long after previous votes.
