Voter Surges in Tourism Hubs Shake Up Cape Verde Elections
The islands of Boa Vista and Sal have emerged as the fastest-growing voter hubs in Cape Verde, outpacing the national average as the country prepares for Sunday’s legislative elections. The surge underscores a shifting demographic landscape driven by the archipelago’s booming tourism sector.
Tourism Hubs See Double-Digit Growth
According to final figures released ahead of the vote, Boa Vista recorded a staggering 20% increase in registered voters compared to the 2021 elections, bringing its total to nearly 9,500. Sal followed with a 10% rise, surpassing 21,600 registrants. Both islands serve as the backbone of Cape Verde’s economy, hosting the majority of the nation’s international hotels and luxury developments.
Foreign residents are also making their presence felt in these regions. The census commissions for Boa Vista, Sal, and the capital city of Praia registered the highest numbers of foreign voters, with each district recording between 800 and 1,000—significantly higher than any other location in the country.
A Shift in Political Weight
While the tourist islands and the capital are growing, other regions are seeing their numbers dwindle. The Santiago South district, which includes the capital, remains the country’s electoral titan. It grew by 5% to nearly 110,000 voters and will elect 19 of the 72 deputies in the National Assembly.
In contrast, several islands experienced a decline in registered voters. Santiago North lost 3% of its electorate, while Brava (-2.5%), Maio (-2%), São Nicolau (-1%), and Santo Antão (-1%) also saw decreases. Fogo and São Vicente saw modest gains of 1.5% and 3%, respectively.
The Diaspora Powerhouse
Nationwide, 419,755 citizens are registered to vote on Sunday, an overall increase of 7% from 2021. However, the most explosive growth occurred abroad. The three overseas districts—which elect six deputies—saw their voter rolls swell by 37% to 72,051. The diaspora now accounts for more than one-sixth of the total electorate.
Maria do Rosário Gonçalves, president of the National Electoral Commission (CNE), attributed this surge to a new streamlined registration process. A pilot project now allows citizens to register for the census automatically when renewing their passports at consular offices.
The Stakes of the Race
The election is a high-stakes battle between the two dominant forces in Cape Verdean politics. The ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD), led by Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, is seeking a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, the main opposition, the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), led by Praia Mayor Francisco Carvalho, is fighting to reclaim power.
Both the MpD and PAICV are the only parties contesting all 13 electoral districts. The UCID, the nation’s third-largest party, is running in ten districts and hopes to act as a kingmaker if neither major party secures an absolute majority. Smaller factions, including the People’s Party and the Labor and Solidarity Party, are also competing in limited districts.
Image: Pexels – Petr Ganaj
