Luanda – The National Air Force (FAN) has said it is too early to determine the exact cause of the helicopter MI-171SH crash that occurred Friday in Lóvua commune, eastern Moxico Province, a source familiar with the matter has told ANGOP.
The FAN aircraft crashed while transporting electoral material to Lovua locality located 79 kilometers away from Cazombo, capital of Alto Zambeze municipality, without causing fatalities.
The FAN considers it premature to talk about the causes of the incident, without the conclusion of the competent inquiry, which will determine whether it was a technical or human failure, or weather factor, the source has said.
On Sunday, the head of the Municipal Electoral Commission (CME), José Augusto, said a "technical problem" was the origin of the incident with the helicopter, which was also carrying 15 people, including four crew members.
ANGOP verified on the spot the total destruction of the helicopter and the electoral material.
The Alto Zambeze Municipality, which is 519 kilometers away from Luena, capital of Moxico Province, has more than 56,000 voters distributed in six communes, namely Cavungo, Caianda, Lumbala-Kaquengue, Macondo and Lóvua.
Distribution of material in hard-to-reach areas
In Moxico, the Provincial Electoral Commission is using helicopters of the National Air Force to distribute material for the elections in remote zones.
At least 3,752 people will be part of the 938 polling stations throughout the province with 938 delegates and an equal number of substitutes that have been accredited to supervise the electoral process.
Moxico has 416, 118 voters registered for the current electoral process.
A total eight political forces are running for election, namely MPLA, UNITA, PRS, FNLA, APN, PHA and P-NJANGO parties and the CASA-CE coalition.
Roughly 14.3 voters are expected to cast ballots on August 24 with 22,560 from abroad to choose the President of the Republic, the Vice President and the 220 deputies that constitute the National Assembly.
