Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LUANDA1304
2006-12-28 15:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Luanda
Cable title:  

ALMOST 1 MILLION REGISTERED DURING FIRST MONTH

Tags:  PGOV PREL AO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5666
RR RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #1304 3621500
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281500Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3555
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 001304 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2031
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: ALMOST 1 MILLION REGISTERED DURING FIRST MONTH

REF: A) LUANDA 01298 B) LUANDA 01291

Classified By: Charge d'affaires Francisco J. Fernandez,
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUANDA 001304

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2031
TAGS: PGOV PREL AO
SUBJECT: ALMOST 1 MILLION REGISTERED DURING FIRST MONTH

REF: A) LUANDA 01298 B) LUANDA 01291

Classified By: Charge d'affaires Francisco J. Fernandez,
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (U) According to official numbers released December 22,
945,451 potential voters were registered in the first phase
of voter registration. As expected, the populous provinces of
Luanda, Benguela and Huambo recorded the highest numbers of
registrants. Sparsely populated Zaire and Namibe provinces
recorded the least registrants.


2. (C) Registration results from provinces traditionally
affiliated with UNITA and other opposition parties showed
strong results. The traditional UNITA strongholds of
Benguela, Huambo, and Bie registered a total of 268,418
voters. Four other provinces with strong historical UNITA
ties registered an additional 193,724 potential voters. The
vast yet sparsely populated PRS strongholds of Moxico and the
Lundas registered 83,875 voters. NOTE: Angola,s last census,
taken in 1973, showed population centers in the costal cities
of Luanda, Benguela, and Lobito, and large population centers
driven by the agricultural sector in the provinces of Huambo,
Kuanza North, Huila and Uige. Though reliable data does not
exist, the ensuing 3 decades of conflict produced massive
population sifts toward urban centers, in particular towards
the provincial capitals of Luanda, Huambo, Benguela, and
Lubango. END NOTE


3. (U) Registration results by province through 15 December
2006 are as follows:
Luanda 180,730 Benguela 121,428 Huambo 93,371 Huila 79,847
Kwanza Sul 61,041 Uige 55,757 Bie 53,619 Malange 47,775
Moxico 32,129 Lunda Norte 28,724 Kuando Kubango 28,024
Bengo 25,523 Cunene 24,830 Kwanza North 24,752
Cabinda 24,230 Lunda Sul 23,022 Zaire 20,711 Namibe 19,938


4. COMMENT: (C) The registration numbers reinforce the
results of the recent IRI-sponsored poll that indicated that
most Angolans look forward to voting. While the strong start
could bode well for phase two of registration, set to
commence January 15, it will be interesting to see if the
recent recommendation by the Council of the Republic to hold
off on elections until 2008 will dampen voter enthusiasm.
End Comment.
FERNANDEZ