Elections 2022: Voters told to leave polling place after casting ballot

 Viana - The president of Associação Mãos Livres (Free Hands Association) Guilherme das Neves has appealed to the voters to refrain from staying in the vicinity of polling places after voting.

Guilherme das Neves launched the call during a press conference on the electoral process held in Viana, Luanda, on Friday (19).

The official said that the presence of citizens at the polling stations, if it takes place, "would represent a danger, as the real intentions of the people are not known".

Despite acknowledging that it is not forbidden to remain at a distance of more than 500 meters, he said there is no reason for voters to remain in the surroundings, since all political parties will be represented by delegates appointed to supervise the process.

Asked to comment on the movement of the defence and security forces, Guilherme das Neves said it was legal, and to "avoid any acts of instability".

"One thing is the gathering and another is the demonstration, but all this in practice is not good, because the excesses on the part of the citizens will be greater on this day-off duty", he stressed.

According to the human rights activist, "if the UNITA party claims to be right about its argument, from a practical point of view it is not advisable."

On the alleged electoral fraud, he stated that “this speech has been around since the first elections in 1992”, stressing that the decision to vote is up to Angolans as potential voters.

He said he is optimistic that the elections will take place in a climate of peace and harmony, but he does not rule out the possibility of an incident depending on the results of each competing party.

As for the role of the Catholic Church in holding vigils, he considered it "a positive gesture, since at this stage the institution is becoming a credible voice for society".

“Most Angolans are Christians and are praying for peace, because the mission of the Church is the pacification of spirits,' ' he concluded.

Founded on April 25, 2000, Associação Mãos Livres (Free Hands Association) is a philanthropic organisation that watches over human rights and, among other tasks, provides legal support to vulnerable people, working on training and technical support for human development processes and access to justice.