Watchdog to Track Campaign Promises in Cape Verde Elections
As Cape Verde prepares for its upcoming local elections, a prominent civil society organization is making it clear that campaign rhetoric will no longer be forgotten once the ballots are counted. The Cape Verdean Civil Society Forum (Forum-CV) announced on Thursday that it will systematically record every promise made by candidates for the December 1 vote, vowing to hold winners accountable throughout their four-year terms.
A Digital ‘Receipt’ for Campaign Promises
In a newly released manifesto, Forum-CV detailed its plan to monitor the 2024–2028 mandate across all 22 of the nation’s municipalities. By cataloging public commitments made during the campaign trail, the organization aims to verify whether elected officials follow through on their pledges or shift their priorities once in office.
“The registry will be maintained and updated throughout the mandate, allowing for the monitoring of the actions of those elected,” the organization stated. Forum-CV frame the initiative as a way to transition civil society from passive observers to active “agents of vigilance and cooperation.”
Focus on Housing and Transparency
Beyond its monitoring role, the Forum’s manifesto calls on candidates to tackle systemic issues, with affordable housing at the top of the agenda. The document highlights the rise of “clandestine constructions” in urban centers as a direct symptom of the housing crisis facing low-income families.
The organization is also pushing for structural reforms in local governance, including:
- Participatory Budgets: Giving citizens a direct vote on how municipal funds are spent.
- Conduct Codes: Establishing and enforcing rules to ensure public cleanliness and the preservation of communal spaces.
- Direct Engagement: Inviting candidates to formally sign on to these transparency measures before election day.
Concerns Over Shrinking Choice
The upcoming vote comes at a time of shifting political dynamics. Maria do Rosário Pereira, president of the National Elections Commission (CNE), noted a concerning trend: a sharp decline in independent candidacies. Only five citizen movements are competing this year, compared to 12 in the 2020 elections. In total, only 10 forces (five parties and five movements) are on the ballot, down from 16 four years ago.
Pereira warned that this “reduction in electoral competitiveness” reflects a potential weakening of the democratic fabric, urging for a permanent effort to strengthen citizen participation to avoid political setbacks.
The Election Landscape
Approximately 352,000 registered voters will head to the polls. The stakes are highest in the major hubs of Praia, São Vicente, and Santa Catarina, which account for half of the electorate.
The ruling Movement for Democracy (MpD) currently dominates the local map, holding 14 municipalities. The main opposition party, the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), holds the remaining eight. As the campaign heat intensifies, Forum-CV’s new watchdog initiative ensures that for the winners, the real work—and the scrutiny—will begin on December 2.
Image: Pexels – Edmond Dantès
