Cape Verde Confirms 6 Candidates for Presidential Election
Cape Verde’s Constitutional Court has officially cleared a sixth candidate to run in the upcoming presidential elections on November 15. The court announced on Tuesday that teacher and athlete Loisito Sousa will join the ballot following a successful appeal of his initial rejection.
Court Rectifies Filing Error
Sousa’s candidacy was initially stalled due to a clerical oversight. According to the Constitutional Court, a reappraisal of the records revealed that five supporting declarations from residents in the Ribeira Brava municipality had been overlooked during the initial verification process. With these documents now validated, the court has formally admitted his bid for the presidency.
The Final Lineup
The court also finalized the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot paper: Antero Tavares, Casimiro Pina, José Maria Neves, Gilson Alves, Joana Rosa, and Loisito Sousa.
The race features a mix of high-profile political figures and professional newcomers:
- José Maria Neves: The incumbent president, seeking a second term with the backing of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV).
- Joana Rosa: A former minister supported by the main opposition party, the Movement for Democracy (MpD).
- Antero Tavares: A member of the judiciary.
- Casimiro Pina: A jurist making his second run for the office.
- Gilson Alves: A medical doctor also returning to the presidential race.
- Loisito Sousa: A teacher and athlete.
A Repeat of History?
The 2026 election mirrors the field size of the 2021 contest, which also featured six candidates. In that election, current President José Maria Neves secured an outright victory in the first round, capturing 51.79% of the vote (96,035 votes). Returning challengers Casimiro Pina and Gilson Alves previously garnered 1.8% and 0.76% of the vote, respectively.
As the campaign season begins, all eyes will be on whether Neves can maintain his majority or if the new challengers, particularly Joana Rosa, can force a shift in the island nation’s political landscape.
Image: Pexels – Sora Shimazaki
