LUANDA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The observation commission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which monitored Angola's parliamentary elections, has said that the polls were "credible, peaceful and transparent".

    In a statement issued after elections ended nationwide late Saturday, John Kunene, head of SADC observation mission, said the Angolan people expressed their will in an impressive manner and that would contribute to the consolidation of democracy and political stability, not only in Angola, but also in the southern African region.

    "SADC would like to congratulate the Angolan population for the high level of political tolerance and maturity shown during the legislative elections," said the statement.

    The SADC commission is made up of 80 observers who monitored the elections in 15 of Angola's 18 provinces including the Angolan capital Luanda.

    Over 8.2 million Angolans were registered for the elections and cast their votes at 12,274 polling stations across the country on Friday. To show the world that Angola pursues after democracy, the government also invited 1,200 foreign observers from 17 international organizations and 10 countries to follow up the elections.

    Fourteen out of Angola's 150 political parties and coalitions took part in the elections fight for 220 parliamentary seats.