Angola's democracy is about to turn another page as the nation votes under its new constitution.

Women wait outside a polling station in Sumbe town, to cast their votes in the country's first national elections.(PHOTO ESSAY: Angola Faces New Era With Third Election )

President Jose Eduardo dos Santos' ruling party MPLA has been declared winner in Friday's election winning 73 per cent of the national vote assuring his government which has been in power for 32 years, another five years.

According to figures from the country's National Electoral Commission (CNE)with about 85% of the ballot counted, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) had 73% of the valid votes cast. The MPLA's nearest rival, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), trailed far behind with 18% of the vote, nearly twice its share from 2008. And newcomer party, CASA-CE, gained five per cent. Both opposition parties criticized the elections for not being free and fair.

The African Union observers declared the election to be "free, just, transparent and credible," Pedro Pires, chief of the mission adds.

According to the chief of the observing mission of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, (CPLP), Leonardo Simao,"We didn't witness one single case of coercion of intimidation. People voted freely throughout the country," He added that the turnout of 57 per cent of the 9 million eligible voters was good, particularly among women and youths, and that the voting process went smoothly.