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Elections in Angola
 
Political Profile
Political System: Restricted Democratic Practice
President: José Eduardo dos Santos (MPLA) [since 21 September 1979; elected by the MPLA in 1979 following the death of Agostinho Neto] Under the terms of a new constitution approved in January 2010, the President is to be elected indirectly by members of the National Assembly for a 5-year term.
National Assembly [unicameral] (220 Seats) Members are elected by direct popular vote in multi-member constituencies (130 from one national constituency and 90 from 18 provincial constituencies - 5 per province) using the party-list proportional representation system; members serve 4-year terms. 
Electoral Authority: National Electoral Commission
Political Situation since Independence
1975-1991 One Party State (MPLA/MPLA-PT)
1991-1992 Multiparty Transition
1992-        Restricted Democratic Practice
2012 Freedom House Rating: Political Rights - 6, Civil Liberties - 5, Status: Not Free
Next Scheduled National Assembly Election: 2016
Political Parties: ADPA - Alliance for Democracy and the People of Angola, AND - National Democratic Alliance, ANIA - Independent National Alliance of Angola, CDS - Social Democratic Center, CNDA - National Democratic Convention of Angola, FDA - Angolan Democratic Forum, FNDDA - National Front of Democratic Development of Angola, FNLA - National Front for the Liberation of Angola, FpD - Front for Democracy, FRESA-PJSD - Juvenile Salvation Front-Social Democratic Youth Party, MDA - Democratic Movement of Angola, MDIA-PCN - Movement for the Defense of Angolan Interests-National Conscience Party, MPDA - Movement for Democracy in Angola, MPLA - Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, PACOPO - Angolan Conservative Party of the People, PADDA-AP - Party for Democracy and Development in Angola-Patriotic Alliance, PADEPA - Party for Democratic Support and Progress of Angola, PADS - Angolan Party for Development, PAI - Angolan Independent Party, PAJOCA - Party of the Alliance of Youth, Workers, and Peasants, PAL - Angolan Liberal Party, PALMA - Angolan Free Alliance Majority Party, PAPOD - People's Party for Development, PAUDP - Angolan Party for Unity, Democracy, and Progress, PCDP - Democratic Convention Party for Progress, PCN - National Convergence Party, PCSA - Angolan Socialist Community Party, PDA - Angolan Democratic Party, PDLA - Liberal Democratic Party of Angola, PDP-ANA - Democratic Party for Progress-Angolan National Alliance, PDPA - Pacific Democratic Party of Angola, PDPS - Democratic Party for Social Progress, PDUA - Unified Democratic Party of Angola, PELA - Angolan Free Expression Party, PFDA - Democratic Front Party of Angola, PLD - Liberal Democratic Party, PLUN - Liberal Party for National Unity, PNDA - Angolan National Democratic Party, PNEA - National Ecological Party of Angola, PNIA - National Independence Party of Angola, PNSA - National Salvation Party of Angola, PPA - Angolan Pacific Party, PRA - Angolan Reform Party, PRD - Democratic Renewal Party, PRE-Green Party - Restoration of Hope Party, PRS - Social Renewal Party, PRSD - Social Democratic Republican Party, PSCA - Party of Solidarity and the Conscience of Angola, PSD - Social Democratic Party, PSDA - Angolan Social Democratic Party, PSIA - Independent Social Party of Angola, PSL - Liberal Socialist Party, PTA - Labor Party of Angola, PTD - Democratic Workers' Party, UAPDD - Angolan Union for Peace, Democracy, and Development, UDA - Angolan Democratic Unification, UND - Nation Union for Democracy, UNITA - National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, USD - Social Democratic Union.
Coalitions: Democratic Angola-Coalition (AD-Coligação) [Contested the 1992 Presidential & National Assembly Elections] Member parties include the Front for Democracy (FpD), Angolan Democratic Unification (UDA), Angolan Liberal Party (PAL), Pacific Democratic Party of Angola (PDPA), National Ecological Party of Angola (PNEA), Angolan Social Democratic Party (PSDA), and the Movement for the Defense of Angolan Interests-National Conscience Party (MDIA-PCN); [Contested the 2008 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Angolan Democratic Unification (UDA), Angolan Liberal Party (PAL), Pacific Democratic Party of Angola (PDPA), National Ecological Party of Angola (PNEA), and the Movement for the Defense of Angolan Interests-National Conscience Party (MDIA-PCN); Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola-Electoral Coalition (CASA-CE) [Contested the 2012 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Angolan Free Alliance Majority Party (PALMA), Party for Democracy and Development in Angola-Patriotic Alliance (PADDA-AP), Angolan Pacific Party (PPA), and the National Salvation Party of Angola (PNSA); Political Council of the Opposition (CPO) [Contested the 2012 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Liberal Party for National Unity (PLUN), Angolan Party for Development (PADS), Alliance for Democracy and the People of Angola (ADPA), National Convergence Party (PCN), and the Democratic Party for Social Progress (PDPS); Angolan Fraternal Forum Coalition (FOFAC) [Contested the 2008 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Angolan Conservative Party of the People (PACOPO), Democratic Workers' Party (PTD), Juvenile Salvation Front-Social Democratic Youth Party (FRESA-PJSD), and the National Front of Democratic Development of Angola (FNDDA); United Front for Change of Angola (FUMA) [Contested the 2012 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Angolan National Democratic Party (PNDA), Party of Solidarity and the Conscience of Angola (PSCA), Angolan Free Expression Party (PELA), Restoration of Hope Party (PRE-Green Party), Democratic Front Party of Angola (PFDA), and the Social Democratic Republican Party (PRSD); New Democracy Electoral Union (ND) [Contested the 2008 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Movement for Democracy in Angola (MPDA), Liberal Socialist Party (PSL), Independent Social Party of Angola (PSIA), Angolan Union for Peace, Democracy, and Development (UAPDD), and the Nation Union for Democracy (UND), and the Independent National Alliance of Angola (ANIA); [Contested the 2012 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the Movement for Democracy in Angola (MPDA), Liberal Socialist Party (PSL), Independent Social Party of Angola (PSIA), Angolan Union for Peace, Democracy, and Development (UAPDD), Nation Union for Democracy (UND), and the Independent National Alliance of Angola (ANIA), and the Labor Party of Angola (PTA); Electoral Political Platform (PPE) [Contested the 2008 National Assembly Election] Member parties include the National Democratic Alliance (AND), National Independence Party of Angola (PNIA), Unified Democratic Party of Angola (PDUA), Angolan Party for Unity, Democracy, and Progress (PAUDP), Social Democratic Union (USD), Social Democratic Center (CDS), Democratic Movement of Angola (MDA), Angolan Socialist Community Party (PCSA), and the Democratic Convention Party for Progress (PCDP).
 
Election Results
 
 
Presidential: 1992
Legislative
--Single Party: 1980, 1986
--Multiparty: 1992, 2008, 2012
 
 
Single Party Elections
Sole Legal Party: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) 1975-1977; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola-Workers' Party (MPLA-PT) 1977-1991
1980 National People's Assembly Election* (229 Seats)
1986 National People's Assembly Election* (289 Seats)
*Members were elected indirectly by colleges set up in each of the 18 provinces. The electoral colleges included provincial assembly members and representatives selected by the populace in their work- or living- places. In 1980, the voting for electoral colleges began on August 23, with those elected taking office on 11 November 1980. In 1986, the process began in December and the newly-elected members took office on 30 January 1987.
 
29-30 September 1992 Presidential Election* [Results by Province]

Registered Voters

4,828,468

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

4,401,339 (91.2%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

   460,455

Total Valid Votes

3,940,884

Candidate (Party) [Coalition] Number of Votes % of Votes
José Eduardo dos Santos (MPLA) 1,953,335 49.57%
Jonas Savimbi (UNITA) 1,579,298 40.07%
Antonio Alberto Neto (PDA) 85,249 2.16%
Holden Roberto (FNLA) 83,135 2.11%
Honorato Lando (PDLA) 75,789 1.92%
Luís dos Passos (PRD) 58,121 1.47%
Bengui Pedro João (PSD) 38,243 0.97%
Simão Cacete (FpD) [AD-Coligação] 26,385 0.67%
Daniel Chipenda** 20,646 0.52%
Anália de Victória Pereira (PLD) 11,475 0.29%
Rui de Victória Pereira (PRA) 9,208 0.23%
*Since no candidate received more than 50% of the votes in the First Round, a Second Round was necessary between José Eduardo dos Santos and Jonas Savimbi. The Second Round was never held as Savimbi's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) refused to recognize the results of the First Round, claiming serious irregularities.
**Daniel Chipenda ran as an independent candidate, but he was supported by the Angolan National Democratic Party (PNDA).
 
29-30 September 1992 National Assembly Election [Seats Won by Province]

Registered Voters

4,828,468

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

4,410,575 (91.3%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

   458,310

Total Valid Votes

3,952,265

Party/[Coalition] Number of Votes % of Votes Number of Seats (220)
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) 2,124,126 53.74% 129
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) 1,347,636 34.10% 70
National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) 94,742 2.40% 5
Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) 94,269 2.39% 3
Social Renewal Party (PRS) 89,875 2.27% 6
Democratic Renewal Party (PRD) 35,293 0.89% 1
Democratic Angola-Coalition [AD-Coligação] 34,166 0.86% 1
Social Democratic Party (PSD) 33,088 0.84% 1
Party of the Alliance of Youth, Workers, and Peasants (PAJOCA) 13,924 0.35% 1
Angolan Democratic Forum (FDA) 12,038 0.30% 1
Democratic Party for Progress-Angolan National Alliance (PDP-ANA) 10,608 0.27% 1
Angolan National Democratic Party (PNDA) 10,281 0.26% 1
National Democratic Convention of Angola (CNDA) 10,237 0.26% -
Angolan Social Democratic Party (PSDA) 10,217 0.26% -
Angolan Independent Party (PAI) 9,007 0.23% -
Liberal Democratic Party of Angola (PDLA) 8,025 0.20% -
Angolan Democratic Party (PDA) 8,014 0.20% -
Angolan Reform Party (PRA) 6,719 0.17% -
 
5-6 September 2008 National Assembly Election [Results by Province]

Registered Voters

8,256,584

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

7,213,281 (87.4%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

   762,874

Total Valid Votes

6,450,407

Party/[Coalition] % of Votes Number of Seats (220)
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) 81.64% 191
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) 10.39% 16
Social Renewal Party (PRS) 3.17% 8
New Democracy Electoral Union [ND] 1.20% 3
National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) 1.11% 2
Democratic Party for Progress-Angolan National Alliance (PDP-ANA) 0.51% -
Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) 0.33% -
Democratic Angola-Coalition [AD-Coligação] 0.29% -
Party for Democratic Support and Progress of Angola (PADEPA) 0.27% -
Front for Democracy (FpD) 0.26% -
Party of the Alliance of Youth, Workers, and Peasants (PAJOCA) 0.24% -
Democratic Renewal Party (PRD) 0.22% -
Electoral Political Platform (PPE) 0.19% -
Angolan Fraternal Forum Coalition [FOFAC] 0.17% -
 
31 August 2012 National Assembly Election [Results by Province]

Registered Voters

9,757,671

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

6,124,669 (62.8%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

   368,665

Total Valid Votes

5,756,004

Party/[Coalition] Number of Votes % of Votes Number of Seats (220)
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) 4,135,503 71.85% 175
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) 1,074,565 18.67% 32
Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola-Electoral Coalition [CASA-CE] 345,589 6.00% 8
Social Renewal Party (PRS) 98,233 1.71% 3
National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) 65,163 1.13% 2
New Democracy Electoral Union [ND] 13,337 0.23% -
People's Party for Development (PAPOD) 8,710 0.15% -
United Front for Change of Angola [FUMA] 8,260 0.14% -
Political Council of the Opposition [CPO] 6,644 0.12% -