Angolan parties opposed to appointment of new electoral chiefBy ARNALDO VIEIRA in Luanda | Friday, January 20  2012 at  15:17

The Angolan opposition and the civil society have stated that they will not accept Suzana Inglês as the country's National Electoral Commissioner saying she is not fit for the job.

According to a communiqué issued by the Higher Council of the Judicial Magistracy, the appointment came after a thorough selection by the panel who finally settled on Mrs Inglês as the suitable candidate to lead the National Electoral Commission (CNE) during this year’s general election.

Ms Ingles who is a lawyer was chosen among four candidates during an ordinary session of the Higher Council of the Judicial Magistracy held on Monday.

Other candidates were the jurists Joaquim Abreu Cangato, Manuel Pereira da Silva and Félix Sebastião.

The head of the main opposition Unita parliamentary bench Raul Danda said his party is surprised with the appointment of a lawyer to the position.

Shameful move

According to article 143 of Angola's electoral law, the chairperson of the electoral body can only be a magistrate.

“The ruling MPLA may find another job for Mrs Suzana Inglês since she cannot play the role of chairwoman of the National Electoral Commission,” he added.

Mr Sapalo Antonio who is a legislator from Social Renovation Party MP said his party only learnt of the appointment through the media.

“We do not agree with the choice because it is not in accordance with the 143rd article of polls organic law,” he said.

Mr Ngola Kabangu of the National Front for the Angolan Liberation said his party is against the choice while a lobby group, Justice Peace and Democracy Association, said through its boss Antonio Ventura that the appointment was a shameful move.

“Mrs Inglês is lawyer and not a judicial magistrate,” he lamented.

As this is still widely debated, a second Angolan woman after Luisete Araújo is training her eyes on the highest office in the land.

Maria Natércia Miguel de Sousa who is the leader of the National Democratic Party (PDN) wants to be the Angolan president.