Angolan opposition parties condemn election

Angola's Unita opposition demanded a re-run of yesterday's parliamentary election because of widespread delays at polling stations, describing the country's first vote in 16 years as a "mess".

"The system practically collapsed and we have to do something to recover the process," Unita leader Isaias Samakuva said after meeting the head of the electoral commission in the capital Luanda, where many of the polling problems occurred.

Asked by a reporter if he had requested that the commission hold a fresh election, Mr Samakuva said "Yes."

His criticism was echoed by Ngola Kabangu, the leader of the FNLA opposition party, who told reporters the election had been "extremely flawed". But he stopped short of demanding it be repeated.

Earlier, voters and a European Union observer mission complained of disorganisation in the ballot, at which the ruling MPLA party was expected to extend its run of more than three decades in power in the oil-producing southern African state.

Long queues formed in Luanda, considered a stronghold of the MPLA, hours before the polls opened at 7 a.m. (0600 GMT). Scores of polling stations failed to open on time, while others remained closed for several hours after voting began. Elsewhere the voting proceeded normally and some polling stations closed on schedule at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT).

"This is a mess," said Mr Samakuva, who had accused the MPLA of having an unfair financial and media advantage in the run-up to the election.

Authorities said the problems were caused mainly by problems with voter registration lists.