Africa-Press – Angola. Eleven new members of the Angolan National Electoral Commission (CNE), appointed by the MPLA (power), PRS and FNLA (opposition) parties, were sworn in parliament amid protests from UNITA (opposition), which shouted “no cheating” and “shame”.
The nine members of the CNE, appointed by the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), one member appointed by the Social Renewal Party (PRS) and another by the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) were sworn in by the president of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira.
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA, the largest opposition party) did not appoint the four members designated by the parliamentary resolution, as it contested the decision and sent, on Wednesday, to the Constitutional Court (TC) a new precautionary measure to suspend the inauguration ceremony.
UNITA had already filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court on the matter, but it was rejected by that court, prompting the political party to file a new appeal challenging the resolution approving the composition of the National Electoral Council (CNE). UNITA argues that the resolution violates its right to nominate seven citizens to serve on the CNE.
Today, at the beginning of the plenary meeting, UNITA deputy Mihaela Webba intervened asking for the item on the inauguration of CNE members to be removed from the agenda, due to the new action taking place in the TC.
MPLA deputy and president of the parliament’s first committee, António Paulo, urged by the president of parliament to clarify UNITA’s request, stated that the Constitutional Court did not notify parliament of the party’s new appeal and that the plenary session’s agenda should not be changed.
The president of parliament thus swore in the 11 members of the CNE, in a ceremony marked by several protests from UNITA deputies who shouted in unison “no cheating”, “shame”, “cheaters” and chanted “Angolans first, Angolans second, Angolans always”, while MPLA deputies applauded the newly sworn in members.
The MPLA has nominated the citizens of the Democratic Movement Party (MPLA).
The PRS nominated Adriana Chitula Sepissó and the FLNA nominated Lucinda Roberto Augusto da Costa for the CNE.
Onilda Patrícia Camoço Quingongo, the member nominated by the Humanist Party of Angola (PHA), was not sworn in because a lawsuit is pending against her nomination at the Constitutional Court. Carolina Cerqueira wished the new CNE members “success” in their duties.
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