Permanent aides free to attend CNE plenary sessions

Angola, Luanda – The permanent aides, that is those representing the Government, political parties and coalitions with Parliament seat, including five political parties without seat, are from now on free to attend the plenary sessions of the National Electoral Commission (CNE). This is contained in the regulation approved Monday in Luanda, during the 5th CNE extraordinary session, presided over by the chairman of the election body, André da Silva Neto. Speaking to the press at the end of the session, the meeting’s spokesperson, Júlia Ferreira, said the just approved regulation is part of the Organic Law on General Elections, that entitles permanent aides to have a word during the session, but not to a vote. The spokesperson added that the regulation enables one representative of each political party contesting in the election to attend the CNE plenary sessions.  Júlia Ferreira also stated that the permanent aides shall attend the CNE plenary sessions upon an invitation and in line with procedures and norms regulating their participation. On the other hand, the session also defined the norms and fundamental principles governing the functioning of the national vote counting centre. The spokesperson said the national vote counting centre falls under the CNE technological division and the principles of security, efficiency and release of electoral results have been adopted, without damage to the principles contained in the Constitution and in the electoral registration. The political parties and coalitions attending the elections are also eligible to attend all vote counting activity at all levels on conditions established by the regulation.