Luanda - The secretary general of the Council of Christian Churches in Angola (CICA), Reverend Deolinda Dorcas Teca, on Thursday in Luanda called for tolerance and mutual respect from party leaders and citizens in general, during the ongoing electoral process.
Speaking to the television channel TVZimbo ahead of the ecumenical ceremony scheduled for Sunday in Luanda, the reverend said Angolans should look at the elections as a celebration of democracy stressing the importance for mutual respect, despite religious and partisan differences.
Deolinda Teca also repudiated the appeal made by some politicians for the permanence of the voters in the polling stations, adding that all voters should return to their daily activities after exercising the right to vote.
She noted that overseeing the voting process is a mission of the accredited observers and party agents.
The religious leader invited all citizens to be present at the religious ceremony, so they can call on God for the elections to take place in harmony and peace, respect and tolerance among brothers.
At least 14.3 million voters are expected to cast ballots in the Aug. 24 elections to take place for the fifth time since the nation's independence in 1975. Some 22,560 citizens are expected to vote from abroad.
