LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS CONVOKED FOR SEPTEMBER 5

UNCLAS LUANDA 000434 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AO SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS CONVOKED FOR SEPTEMBER 5 REF: LUANDA 432 ¶1. (U) On June 4th presidential decree, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos formally convoked legislative elections for September 5, 2008. The decree has not been formally published, but the signing of the decree was announced via press communique. Informal translation follows: The Administrative Service of the President hereby announces that the President of the Republic, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in the scope of his legal authority as conferred by constitutional and electoral law, issued today, the 4th day of June 2008, a presidential degree convoking legislative elections and setting the date of those elections for September 5, 2008 throughout the country. However, in accordance with the recommendation of the Council of the Republic meeting held on the 3rd of this month, the National Assembly should study and legislate on the possibility of extending the voting period, should reasons that are not foreseen in Article 121 of the electoral law occur which prevent all citizens from exercising their inalienable right to vote on September 5th. In its preamble, the presidential decree reiterates the need for all Angolans to exercise their right to vote and choose their representatives in a manner that is free, conscientious and responsible, giving to their chosen representatives the responsibility to drive the destiny of the Nation. The Administrative Service of the President of the Republic, in Luanda on June 4th, 2008. End informal translation FERNANDEZ