As political parties started campaigns for the parliamentary elections today, the Social Democratic Party (PSD, in its French acronym) has unveiled its manifesto focusing on economic development and social welfare.

"Our manifesto is mainly about social development aimed at reducing poverty in all social categories of citizens. It as well looks at reducing economic inequality and increasing production to an extent that the impact is felt at a family level,” PSD’s Juvénal Nkusi, who tops the list of PSD parliamentary candidates, told The New Times this morning.

PSD is among eight political parties that are vying for the 53 seats in parliament.

The Parliament has 80 seats, but only 53 will be contested for through universal adult suffrage, while the remaining 27 are reserved for special interest groups.

According to the electoral calendar, campaigns are expected to run for three weeks ending on September 15 while elections will be held from September 16-19.