Luanda - The Angolan government on Saturday ordered the closure of markets and fairs on Wednesday 24th August, which will be the polling day in Angola.
A joint decree from the ministries for Territorial Administration and for Trade and Industry said that the measure is extended to commercial establishments, which on Wednesday should give the necessary time off to their staff so that they can exercise their right to vote, even if they work on a shift system.
According to the document, the measure that is also extended to street and itinerant sales, aims to guarantee the massive participation of citizens on polling day.
“The markets and street fairs should open, exceptionally, on Monday, 22, in their normal opening hours”, states the decree that ANGOP has received.
For the voting process, roughly 14.3 million voters are expected to cast ballots. From tht number, 22,560 will vote from abroad (Angolans residing abroad), spread across 25 cities in 12 countries of Africa, Europe and South America.
This year 's elections count on the participation of eight political forces, namely MPLA, UNITA, PRS, FNLA, APN, PHA and P-NJANGO and the electoral coalition CASA-CE.
