Luanda – The Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), Manuel Pereira da Silva, on Monday in Luanda took office for a second term, during the 5th Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the 3rd Legislative Session of the 5th Legislature of the National Assembly.

The re-candidacy of the current president of the CNE was approved in February of this year by the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSMJ) who declared him the winner of the curriculum competition for the highest position at the CNE with a total of 91 points, thus remaining in the position for another five years.

According to the CSMJ, as a long-standing magistrate, as well as due to Manuel Pereira da Silva's experience (who led the CNE in the last general elections of 2022) in conducting electoral processes, academic training and professional merits were fundamental in evaluating his candidacy.

In terms of the article 107 of the Constitution of the Republic of Angola, CNE is an independent body that organizes, executes, coordinates and conducts electoral processes.

On the other hand, before the inauguration, Parliament unanimously approved the shifting of MPs in the MPLA and UNITA parliamentary benches.

The Parliament's day agenda also includes the discussion and voting on internal matters, namely the draft Resolution to approve the Reports and Accounts of the National Assembly (AN), relating to the fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The debate will also be held to vote on the draft resolutions confirming the composition of the AN Board of Directors, as well as the replacement of the coordinator of the group of MPs residing in the province of Cuanza Sul.

It should be noted that, before Manuel Pereira da Silva took office, the MPs from UNITA, the largest opposition party, left the plenary hall.

VIC/MRA/jmc