By John Ikani
Angolans are turning out en masses to cast their votes in a general election that is expected to be the most closely fought since its independence in 1975.
The National Electoral Commission expects 14.4million registered voters to cast their vote between 07:00 and 17:00 local time across 13,238 poling stations in Angola and in the diaspora.
Eight political parties are participating in the elections.
In the race for the presidency, incumbent João Lourenço of the governing MPLA faces the leader of the one-time rebel group Unita, Adalberto Costa Júnior.
Both the incumbent President and opposition leader have already cast their votes.
The MPLA, which has been in power for more than four decades, has been criticised for not tackling high levels of inflation, poverty and unemployment.
President Lourenço has promised to reform Angola’s oil-driven economy but Heritage Times (HT) gathered that many voters may not believe him.
