Angola
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
b. No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 79; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:37:01 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
h. Not applicable
Comments: Existing national and provincial boundaries are used.
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 79; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:38:52 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
b. Optional referendum
Comments: C:3 (2) "The Angolan people shall exercise political power through periodic universal suffrage to choose their representatives, by means of referendums and other forms of democratic participation in national life." C:66 "The President of the Republic shall have the following powers:" [...] "(o) To call referendums, in accordance with Article 73 of the present Law;" C:73 "(1) The President of the Republic may, on the proposal of the Government or the National Assembly, submit to a referendum draft laws or the ratification of international treaties which, without being contrary to the Constitution, affect the organization of public department and the functioning of institutions."
Source: The Constitution of Angola, Article 3 (2), 66 and 73 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-26 13:41:39 UTC
DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Source: The Constitution of Angola, Article 3 (2), 66 and 73 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-26 13:25:13 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
l. Not applicable
Source: The Constitution of Angola, Article 73 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-26 13:29:06 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
j. Other (specify)
Comments: C:73 "(1) The President of the Republic may, on the proposal of the Government or the National Assembly, submit to a referendum draft laws or the ratification of international treaties which, without being contrary to the Constitution, affect the organization of public department and the functioning of institutions."
Source: The Constitution of Angola, Article 73 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-26 13:28:30 UTC
DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
c. President
Comments: c) The President can however only initiate a referendum if this has been proposed by Parliament: C:73 "(1) The President of the Republic may, on the proposal of the Government or the National Assembly, submit to a referendum [...]"
Source: The Constitution of Angola, Article 73 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-26 13:41:39 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution National Electoral Council
b. Full Address P O Box 6950, Luanda, Av. Amílcar Cabral, 30/31 Luanda
c. Telephone +244 23 926 77
d. Facsimile +244 23 926 77
e. Email info@cne.gv.ao
f. Website Address http://www.cne.gv.ao/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Justice A C de Sousa
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Portuguese
Source: Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, National Electoral Commission's official web site
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:18:52 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
Comments: The National Electoral Commission is also responsible for conducting referenda
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 155.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:21:06 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: Commissioners serve a term of four years which is renewable for a further term.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 162.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:33:15 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:19:51 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:19:51 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
c. Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The president is only eligible for election for two five year terms.
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 56, 57; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 07:55:17 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President is Head of Government as well as Head of State, and is assisted by a Prime Minister appointed by and answerable to the President.
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 56, 66; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 07:55:17 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 56; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 07:42:22 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber
Comments: The National Assembly is the representative assembly of all Angolans and express the sovereign will of the Angolan people.
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 78; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 07:50:08 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation
Comments: Each of the 18 provinces elect 5 members on the basis of Closed-List Proportional Representation. Another 130 seats are awarded using the entire country as a single multi-member constituency and using a PR electoral formula. Three seats are held by representatives of Angolans living abroad. There are 223 seats in total.
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Article 79; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 07:55:17 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable Not Applicable
Last updated: Thu, 01 Aug 2002 21:13:28 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The principle legal instruments governing elections are: 1. Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst. 2. Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act))
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:17:58 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 1.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 08:19:00 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Last updated: 2007-08-31 08:29:34 UTC
LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB
Comments: The National Electoral Commission decides on challenges by citizens and political parties regarding the elections.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 155.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:17:58 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 87.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 09:00:13 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: No limits are placed on the amounts candidates or parties may receive or spend.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 09:07:45 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2006-12-03 14:28:33 UTC
ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
f. 10 or more days
Comments: Opinion polls are prohibited after the entire election campaign period.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 81.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 09:07:45 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: Not Applicable-Unicameral Legislature.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 07:45:39 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:10:02 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable
Comments: Not applicable, Unicameral Legislature
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:10:31 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
b. In presidential elections
Comments: Constitution, Article 60: "Candidacies to the post of President of the Republic shall be presented by legally constituted political parties or coalitions of political parties or by at least five thousand and no more than ten thousand voters." Constitution, Article 80: "Candidates shall be presented by political parties individually or in coalition, and the list may include citizens who are not members of the parties concerned, in accordance with the Electoral Law."
Source: Constitutional Law of Angola 1992, Articles 60, 80; [www] http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/AO/angconst.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:24:09 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 94.1.; Article 95.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:18:54 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
c. Based on current legislative representation
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:21:15 UTC
PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes
Comments: The financing of electoral campaigns by the following is prohibited: * Foreign governments and governmental organizations or organisations that receive funding from foreign government, even if they are registered in Angola. * All state bodies including public corporations. * Companies that have a majority or exclusive public ownership. * Foreigners and foreign owned corporations.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 94.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:24:09 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 133-134.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:27:19 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
a. Never recounted
Comments: The law makes no provision for recounts.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 08:44:52 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
Comments: The National Electoral Commission is tasked by law to use the media to conduct civic and voter education.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 91, 155.1, r).
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:53:34 UTC
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
Comments: The National Electoral Commission is tasked by law to use the media to conduct civic and voter education.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 91, 155.1, r).
Last updated: 2007-08-31 13:55:10 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
e. At mobile polling stations
Comments: The law does not state this, but it is clearly implied.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 108.1.a) and Article 106.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 07:18:35 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
d. Members of the armed forces
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff
Comments: The law state broadly "Angolan citizens with their usual residence abroad have active electoral capacity for parliamentary elections" (Os cidadãos angolanos com residência habitual no estrangeiro têm capacidade eleitoral activa para as eleições legislativas.).
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 11.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 07:25:39 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2007-09-03 07:18:35 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Comments: The voter may indicate the party of choice with a cross or a tick (check-mark).
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 126.4.
Last updated: 2007-09-03 07:32:44 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 11.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 14:12:01 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
e. Other
Comments: Regarding presidential elections, only citizens resident in Angola may vote.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 15.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 14:05:00 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: National Electoral Commission.
Source: Lei No 7/04 de 17 de Junho (Lei Eleitoral; Law No 7/04 17 of June (Electoral Act), Article 155.
Last updated: 2007-08-31 14:06:56 UTC
May 20, 2008 07:18 AM
