Cape Verde Local Elections: Final Push to Defeat Voter Apathy
Political leaders in Cape Verde have launched a final, urgent appeal to voters to head to the polls as the campaign for Sunday’s local elections draws to a close today. With historical data showing high levels of voter apathy, particularly in the capital, the nation’s top parties are framing “abstention” as the greatest enemy of the democratic process.
“No Reason to Stay Home”
In a direct address to the nation, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, president of the governing Movement for Democracy (MpD), urged citizens to take a stand. “There is no reason for indecision, there is no reason for abstention,” he declared in a video message posted to social media.
His sentiment was echoed by his chief rival in the capital city of Praia. Francisco Carvalho, the incumbent mayor running for re-election with the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), called on residents to mobilize their social circles. “On Sunday, everyone must go vote; no one can stay home,” Carvalho stated. “Call your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Everyone counts.”
The Battle for Praia
The stakes are particularly high in Praia, the country’s largest municipality. In the 2020 elections, Praia recorded a staggering 55.6% abstention rate—the only municipality where more than half of the electorate failed to vote. Nationally, the average abstention stood at 41.6%.
While the MpD currently controls 14 municipalities to the PAICV’s eight, the loss of the capital four years ago remains a significant blow the ruling party hopes to reverse. To retake Praia, the MpD has fielded former Minister of Culture and Sea, Abraão Vicente, to challenge Carvalho. The race also features Juciliano Vieira (UCID) and Carlos Lopes (PTS), both looking to break the traditional two-party dominance.
Election Logistics and Security
Across Cape Verde’s 10 islands, 62 candidate lists are competing for control of 22 municipalities. Approximately 352,000 voters are registered—an increase of 15,000 since the last local elections—with nearly half concentrated in the key regions of Praia, São Vicente, and Santa Catarina.
To ensure a smooth process, the government has mandated that essential public services, including registry offices and Citizen Houses (Casas do Cidadão), remain open on election day. Additionally, the General Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IGAE) will enforce a strict ban on alcohol sales within a 500-meter radius of the 1,079 polling stations.
The two-week campaign has been largely peaceful, though the National Electoral Commission (CNE) did initiate proceedings against several candidates for violating rules regarding paid social media advertising.
Following a “day of reflection” on Saturday, polls will be open on Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00 local time.
Image: Pexels – Sora Shimazaki
