Luanda - The Angolan government on Wednesday kicked off a rare process of national debate, setting out three possible constitutions for the country and inviting public comment.
The outcome of the debate may not have much influence over the final document - President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has ruled for 30 years, and his party holds an overwhelming majority in parliament.
But acting National Assembly speaker Joao Lourenco said at a ceremony to unveil the drafts that the debate will "continue building a stronger Angola, with a free, fair and democratic society, of peace, equality and social progress".
Each draft constitutional version is based on proposals put forward by the three main parties, but they are labelled only by letters to deflect from party allegiance during the consultations.
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They will be presented to community groups and other organisations around the country in coming days, officials said.
The documents outline citizens' rights, how the oil-rich southern African nation should be governed, and how elections should take place.
The charter seen as backed by Dos Santos's MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) creates a strong presidency chosen through a party list and sets out electoral rules that could allow the head of state to remain in office until 2022.
The opposition parties are calling for separate direct election of the president. One also supports greater autonomy for the oil-rich Cabinda enclave. Another suggests a federal system which gives more power to the prime minister.
The MPLA holds an 82 percent majority in parliament and 35 out of the 45 places on the constitutional commission, sparking fears that their version will automatically be accepted.
But MPLA spokesperson Kwata Kanawa rejected the criticism, telling reporters: "Despite the majority we have, we will be discussing with our colleagues to find the constitution which is right for the Angolan people."
The public consultation is scheduled to run until December 22. The commission will then produce a final draft for parliamentary approval by March next year.
Angola, whose long civil war only ended in 2002, currently uses a constitutional law framework based on former colonial power Portugal's. - Sapa-AFP
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