Independent electoral commission vital to poll credibility

Setting up an independent electoral commission to oversee Angola's first post-war elections was critical to the credibility of the poll, analysts said on Tuesday. "Although peace has been achieved, Angola remains politically polarised. It is vital that a new, independent commission be established to ensure that voters buy into the process - without such a body, one can expect to see numerous challenges to the eventual results," Martinho Chachiua, of the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, told IRIN. The country's main opposition party, UNITA, this week reiterated its call for the creation of an independent national electoral body, saying it should be an "immediate task" for lawmakers, who were preparing to debate electoral reforms. UNITA has long complained that current electoral legislation was outdated and favoured the ruling MPLA party. The former rebel group has in the past warned that it would not participate in a ballot without an independent commission. In UNITA's view, the national body should include representatives from all parties, as well as civil society and the church. Chachiua pointed out that amendments to Angola's constitution in 1992 had failed to clarify the "status or independence" of the existing National Electoral Commission (NEC). He also noted that the composition of the NEC was largely at the discretion of the president, and the allocation of funds for staging polls rested with the ministry of territorial administration. "As it stands, the act makes it clear that the head of state designates who should occupy the positions on the commission," he said. "UNITA is correct in calling for the complete independence of the body, as it will ensure a more transparent process." Under the current law, five citizens of "high standing" are appointed by the head of state to sit on the commission. The remaining seats are allocated to the minister of territorial administration, the general director of the elections - chosen by the head of state - a representative from the National Council of the Media, a representative from the ministry of external relations and a representative from the office of the president. Chachiua noted, however, that the MPLA had been keen to be seen to adopt a consensual approach to electoral matters. Under an MPLA proposal, the composition of an electoral commission would be debated by parliament as it drafts a new electoral law, he explained. UNITA, however, currently holds just 70 seats in the 223-seat assembly. The last general election was held in 1992, but was rejected by UNITA, which returned to war against the ruling MPLA. The 27-year conflict finally ended in April 2002.