Cape Verde Votes in Vital Post-Pandemic Legislative Elections
Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves expressed optimism today that voter turnout will surge in the nation’s legislative elections, marking a shift away from the pandemic-suppressed participation of five years ago.
Casting his ballot at the Catholic University School of Cape Verde in Praia, Neves highlighted the improved conditions for this year’s vote. “I hope that now, in a period of greater tranquility and without the constraints of the pandemic, people can vote more significantly,” he said. In a nationwide address delivered Friday, the President emphasized that “abstention weakens democracy,” branding the election day a vital “civic and democratic journey.”
Reversing the Trend of Voter Apathy
Recent electoral history has shown a troubling rise in voter absenteeism. Abstention stood at 34% during the 2016 legislative elections before climbing to 42% in 2021. Neves stressed that high participation is essential for a robust government, noting that voting allows citizens to “contribute to the formation of public policies that meet the aspirations and feelings of each individual.”
By mid-morning, reports indicated a “good turnout” across the archipelago, with polling proceeding in an “atmosphere of serenity.”
The Race for Control
The 2026 elections involve 344,284 registered voters across the islands and another 72,051 in the diaspora. Approximately 1,000 polling stations are operating nationwide until 6:00 PM local time. Influence is heavily concentrated on Santiago Island, which includes the capital city of Praia; the island elects 33 of the 72 seats in the National Assembly.
The political landscape remains a battle between two titans. The Movement for Democracy (MpD), which has held power since 2016, and the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) have alternated leadership of the country since its first free elections in 1991. Both major parties are contesting all 13 electoral districts.
Challengers on the Ballot
While the MpD and PAICV dominate, other parties are seeking to break the duopoly. The Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID), currently the third-largest parliamentary force, is competing in 10 districts. Additionally, the People’s Party (PP) and the People, Labor and Solidarity Party (PTS) are each contesting six districts as they fight for their first seats in the National Assembly.
International participation remains high, with over 200 polling stations established abroad, including 84 in Portugal alone, to accommodate Cape Verde’s significant global diaspora.
Image: Pexels – Edmond Dantès
