Angolans vote in landmark polls

Although 14 parties are taking part, the contest is primarily between long-term rivals, the ruling MPLA party and opposition Unita party.

On the eve of the poll, the head of the country's electoral commission dismissed Unita's claims of unfair campaigning by MPLA.

The poor but oil-rich nation has been at peace for six years, when 27 years of conflict came to an end.

As the election got under way, people were reported to have begun queuing at polling stations in the capital, Luanda.

Some eight million voters are registered in the country - more than a quarter of whom live in the capital's very overcrowded conditions.