- All systems are go for next week polls in Angola where voters will after 16 years get an opportunity to elect representatives to the legislature.
According to Angolan National Electoral Commission's spokeman Adao de Almeida, polling stations will open for 5 September elections at 5am to pave way for preparation for election material, stating that stations will remain open until 6pm to give voters enough time to cast their ballots.
"Propaganda materials will remain at least 500 meters away from polling stations on election date and no political activities will be allowed near poll stations," he reminded.
Meanwhile 2,500 observers have been recruited by National Platform of Angolan Civil Society for Elections (PNASCAE) to observe 5 September elections.
According PNASCAE, Non-Governmental Organisation's election observers will be deployed in the country's 18 provinces, in accordance with the political reality and geographic extension of each region.
PNASCAE said some of recruited observers would be deployed permanently at centres, while others would be temporary.
Earlier this week, Southern African Development Community observer mission applauded Angola's preparations for the forthcoming 05 September legislative elections, amid accusations by Human Rights Watch that Angola's electoral campaign did not guarantee a free and fair poll as the country runs for its parliamentary elections.
Only 10 political parties and four alliances have been cleared to contest parliamentary elections scheduled early next month. More than 5,000 candidates will contest 220 parliamentary seats.
Angola has been recovering from years of civil war and wants to set an example to other states within the continent, following disputed polls in Kenya and Zimbabwe. The 5 September polls will be first national vote in 16 years.
September polls will choose representatives for the Luanda parliament, while presidential polls are expected in 2009.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.