São Tomé Finalizes Presidential Ballot for July 19 Election
São Tomé and Príncipe has moved a step closer to its upcoming presidential election following the official ballot draw. On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court (TC) finalized the positioning of the five candidates who will compete for the nation’s highest office on July 19.
The Candidates and Ballot Order
According to the public notice released by the court, the ballot will be organized as follows:
- First: Eugénio Rodrigues da Trindade Tiny
- Second: Nito de Sousa Viegas D’Abreu
- Third: Miques João do Nascimento de Jesus Bonfim
- Fourth: Jorge Bom Lopes Bom Jesus
- Fifth: Carlos Manuel Vila Nova
Jeudiger do Nascimento, president of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), confirmed that the physical ballot papers will be manufactured in Portugal through the Ministry of Internal Administration.
Voter Demographics and Global Reach
The latest data from the automatic electoral census reveals a total of 142,191 registered voters. While the majority (121,670) reside within the archipelago, a significant diaspora of 20,521 citizens will cast their votes from abroad.
The domestic electorate is concentrated heavily in the Água Grande District (45,531) and Mé-Zóchi (30,439), while the Autonomous Region of Príncipe accounts for 6,160 voters.
Beyond the islands, the Santomean diaspora is spread across nine countries:
- Europe (15,917 voters): Portugal leads with 13,160 voters, followed by the United Kingdom (1,586), France (269), Belgium (118), and Luxembourg (64).
- Africa (5,324 voters): Angola hosts the largest group with 3,168 voters, followed by Gabon (1,430), Cape Verde (512), and Equatorial Guinea (214).
Logistics and Campaign Countdown
To accommodate the global electorate, the CEN plans to establish 359 polling stations. This includes 287 stations across São Tomé and Príncipe, 47 in Europe, and 25 across African host nations.
The countdown to the election officially intensifies at midnight on July 4, when the formal electoral campaign period begins.
Image: Pexels – Mikhail Nilov
