(3 minutes read)
Both incumbent President Joao Lourenco and the charismatic opposition leader Adalberto Costa Junior are confident of victory, smiling at them. Significantly, for the first -time diaspora could cast their votes in the election
Vote counting has begun in Angola after polling on the 24th of this month. As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, it was a well-fought election, wherein the ruling party may have a slight edge over the opposition. Both incumbent President Joao Lourenco and the charismatic opposition leader Adalberto Costa Junior are confident of victory, smiling at them. Significantly, for the first -time diaspora could cast their votes in the election.
Costa Junior, 60, is popular among youth, a significant and growing voting bloc. He has pledged to eradicate poverty and create jobs. Political analysts say this time around, the opposition has become more organised and found some synergy with society. In the meantime, opposition and civic groups have raised fears of vote tampering. Social media say that even dead people exercised voting rights, suggesting heavy rigging that took place during the election.
The opposition has asked supporters to peacefully monitor the counting process and stage sit-ins outside polling places after voting closes. Lourenco, a Soviet-educated former general who had promised a new era for Angola when he was first elected and is credited with making far-reaching reforms in one of southern Africa’s economic powerhouses, such as boosting financial transparency and efficiency in parastatal organisations. He is also considered business-friendly and has evolved schemes for attracting foreign investors.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/angolan-election-youth-a-decisive-factor/
https://trendsnafrica.com/angola-elections-lourencos-prospects-look-bright/
Angola is Africa’s second-largest crude producer. The oil wealth also led to heavy corruption and nepotism. Close to 14.7 million people are registered to vote at 13,200 polling stations across the vast southern African nation. The results will be out in a few days’ time.
