LUANDA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Angola's parliamentary elections, the first since a 27-year civil war ended in 2002, closed at local time 6 p.m. (1700 GMT).

    Generally speaking, the electoral process across the southwestern African country is fair and transparent, said Themba Kubheka, ambassador of South Africa to Angola.

An Angolan woman casts her ballot at a polling station at Maianga, a community on the outskirts of Luanda, capital of Angola, Sept. 5, 2008. Angola's parliamentary election began at 7 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday, in which 10 political parties and four coalitions are contesting for 220 parliamentary seats. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The voting was delayed at some polling stations because of the polling materials were not due in time, which is something natural according to the diplomat, who monitored the elections as an observer of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

    He said that the participation of voters in the polls is an evidence of the maturity of Angolan citizens.

    A voter, who gave his name as Lewis, echoed the South African diplomat's viewpoint, saying that he feels happy because the holding of the elections in the country means Angola starts to take a normal path like many other democratic countries.

An Angolan woman is ready to cast her ballot at a polling station at Maianga, a community on the outskirts of Luanda, capital of Angola, Sept. 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Compared with the suffering the Angolans had undergone during the civil war, Lewis said the delay means nothing.

    He also said that the most important thing for Angola now is to end up this great challenge (parliamentary elections) as a winner for the consolidation of democracy in the country.

    According to the Angola's National Electoral Commission, some polling stations postponed the voting time due to the problem of logistic supply.

Angolans line up to vote during the parliamentary election at a polling station near the Presidential Palace in the downtown Luanda, capital of Angola, Sept. 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Many polling stations in the capital Luanda were found the ballots were not ready when voters arrived before 7 a.m. and could not start until midday.

    Caetano de Sousa, chairman of the National Electoral Commission(CNE), appealed to voters for patience and to remain at polling stations, explaining that the delay was due to the supply of ballots at some areas.

    "We call for patience and collaboration of every voter in order for us to carry out the elections," he said, promising that CNE will take exceptional measures to turn polling stations operational so as to enable citizens to carry out their right of voting.

    The CNE top official also promised that polling stations which were delayed will remain open as long as voters are present.

    Over 8.2 million Angolans were registered for the elections and cast their votes at 12,274 polling stations across the country with 70,000 police officers and men dispatched to secure social order and stability during the elections.

    To show the world that Angola pursues democracy, the government invited 1,200 foreign observers from 17 international organizations and 10 countries to follow up the elections.

    Fourteen out of Angola's 150 political parties and coalitions took part in the elections for 220 parliamentary seats. 

President: Angola faces historical moment

    LUANDA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Angola is facing a very important and historic moment to consolidate democracy in the country, official news agency ANGOP quoted Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos as reporting on Friday.

    Dos Santos made the remarks in an exclusive interview with ANGOP after voting for the ongoing parliamentary elections which started nationwide at 7 a.m. (0600 GMT). Full story