Cablegate: Legislative Elections Convoked for September 5

VZCZCXRO1246
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0434 1561633
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041633Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4822
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LUANDA 000434

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AO
SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS CONVOKED FOR SEPTEMBER 5

REF: LUANDA 432

1. (U) On June 4th presidential decree, Angolan President
Jose Eduardo dos Santos formally convoked legislative
elections for September 5, 2008. The decree has not been
formally published, but the signing of the decree was
announced via press communique. Informal translation follows:

The Administrative Service of the President hereby announces
that the President of the Republic, Jose Eduardo dos Santos,
in the scope of his legal authority as conferred by
constitutional and electoral law, issued today, the 4th day
of June 2008, a presidential degree convoking legislative
elections and setting the date of those elections for
September 5, 2008 throughout the country.

However, in accordance with the recommendation of the Council
of the Republic meeting held on the 3rd of this month, the
National Assembly should study and legislate on the
possibility of extending the voting period, should reasons
that are not foreseen in Article 121 of the electoral law
occur which prevent all citizens from exercising their
inalienable right to vote on September 5th.

In its preamble, the presidential decree reiterates the need
for all Angolans to exercise their right to vote and choose
their representatives in a manner that is free, conscientious
and responsible, giving to their chosen representatives the
responsibility to drive the destiny of the Nation.

The Administrative Service of the President of the Republic,
in Luanda on June 4th, 2008.

End informal translation
FERNANDEZ

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