Polling in Luanda reopened

Polling in Luanda reopened on 6 September 2008, one day after numerous delays and disruptions were reported during the nation's parliamentary elections. Election officials stated that some polling stations in Luanda did not open on time on 5 September, and problems were also reported with voter registration lists. The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) opposition party has demanded that a completely new election be held, and it is unclear if the additional day of voting satisfied the opposition. Elections occurred without incident through the weekend. Election monitors associated with the Southern African Development Community stated that other than Luanda the elections were "peaceful, free, transparent and credible." According to initial results in all 18 provinces, Angola's ruling party, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), has taken an early lead in the polls. According to officials, more than 49 percent of ballots have been counted and 82 percent of the votes counted have been for the MPLA. The opposition groups, including UNITA, have only 11 percent of the vote. Full election results are expected within 10 days. After the previous general election in 1992, in which the MPLA won 54 percent of the vote, a civil war engulfed Angola after UNITA challenged the election results and refused to accept defeat. The war lasted until 2002.