Luanda, 04 th August 2008

ANGOLAN PEOPLE
DEAR COUNTRYMEN

Tomorrow will start the electoral campaign of the political parties and the united coalition parties which are going to dispute the 220 seats of the National Assembly, in the legislative elections to take place on September 5th 2008.

These parties and coalitions shall dispose of a time of Radio and TV transmission to propagate their messages and present their programmes of governance as well as their electoral manifest.

The electorate will have sufficient time to analize and meditate on the programmes and projects presented and afterwards, in a free and conscious manner, they will choose the one that better correspond to their political ideals, aspirations and convictions.

On next September 5th from seven o’clock in the morning will shall have in the whole national territory 12.400 voting assemblies.

Each of the assemblies may have up to four voting tables, so that all duely registered angolans as electors can exercise their civil rights of voting in an organized way, with serenity and peacefully.

This moment will represent a step without precedent for normalization of the political and institutional life of our country and for the improvement of the Democratic and Law abiding State.

Henceforth, the legislative elections will be organized regularly, with periodical renewals every four years, in accordance with the Constitutional Law.

We fought hard to reach this point and everybody, with no exception, has endured sacrifices in the name of stability of our country and its territorial integrity.

Since the first general elections in 1992 we have always been advancing in the direction of political normality, sometimes slowly sometimes at fast pace, overcoming all dificulties we faced along the way.

We have secured the regular functioning of the State institutions, the performance of Government organs, the provisions of collective needs and the citizen’s protection, respect and dignity.

The conquest of peace, in 2002, opened new perspectives for Angola.

It has allowed the meeting of the great angolan family and the implementation of the process of national pacification and reconciliation, that make everyone of us proud today.

The elections are the culmination of this long process and permit the plain assertion of citizenship by all angolans in voting age.

Dear Countrymen

In this period of electoral campaign we ought to continue keeping the tranquillity and an attitude of respect and tolerance in relation to the opinions that are different from ours.

By keeping a serene and pacific atmosphere it will contribute to the success of the elections and it will ensure that every elector makes his choice in a responsible manner.

Free, just and competitive elections force us to reject all forms of intimidation, insults, violation of rights and political instability.
I call on all citizens, political parties and united coalition parties to maintain a responsible conduct, by respecting the law and order established, so that the electoral campaign and the voting exercise unfold with the highest pattern of civics.

Angola can set an example to our continent and to the rest of the world on how to carry out democratic, free and fair elections.

We shall not give in to provocations. We must frustrate the previsions of those who, without any basis what so ever, affirm that we will experience a climate of insecurity and instability.

The law enforcement authorities are taking all necessary steps to guarantee tranquillity and security during the whole electoral process.

There are no reasons to house any pessimistic or defeatist feelings. We are a pacific people who love freedom.

We are people who are conscious that the great conquests in the political, economical and social fields can only be obtained in peace, stability and social harmony.

The electoral campaign must not take place under the sign of violence. In this competition there are no enemies, there are only political adversaries, with different programmes and political proposals, which will have as aim to capture the majority of votes in order to conquer power and exercise it with legitimacy.

Each party must only use the “weapon” of ideas to convince the electorate and the citizen elector will have as “weapon” his vote to choose whoever he wants, within the framework established by laws in force in the country.

Thus the electoral campaign must be made under the sign of respect, honesty and freedom, in order for us to contribute in the true clarification of the citizens to enhance national unity and social coesion.

If the political parties respect the legal norms established in their electoral activities, we shall all win and contribute to the construction of the democratic country of our dreams. I am sure that this sense will prevail and that Angola will win.

Long Live Angola !
Thank you very much !