Joana Rosa, a candidate in the 2026 presidential election in Cabo Verde, has appealed to citizens to participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the significance of voting as an expression of freedom and democracy. She made this statement after casting her vote at the Liceu Abílio Duarte in the Palmarejo neighborhood of Praia. Rosa highlighted the importance of this moment for preserving democratic values and encouraged citizens to contribute to reducing the abstention rate.
Rosa, who is the first woman to run for the presidency in Cabo Verde, expressed her determination to win the election, stating that she entered the race with the clear purpose of gaining victory. However, she also emphasized that she would respect the outcome of the election and the sovereign will of the electorate. When asked about the symbolic significance of being the first female candidate, Rosa said she felt a sense of accomplishment, believing that her candidacy represents a contribution to a more just and equal society.
The presidential election in Cabo Verde features six candidates, including Rosa, and has attracted over 200 international observers from various organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). These observers are monitoring the electoral process to ensure its transparency and integrity. A total of 419,448 voters are registered to participate in the election, with 343,065 registered in the country and 76,383 abroad.
The electoral process is taking place smoothly, with 1,302 polling stations set up across the country and abroad. The polling stations are operating from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If no candidate secures more than half of the valid votes, a second round of voting will be held on November 29. The president of Cabo Verde is elected by universal and direct suffrage by registered citizens in the country and abroad.
Cabo Verde has had five presidents since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975. The first president was Aristides Pereira, followed by António Mascarenhas Monteiro, Pedro Pires, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, and José Maria Neves, who won the last presidential election in 2021 with 51.75% of the votes. According to the Constitution of Cabo Verde, a candidate must be a Cabo Verdean citizen by origin, at least 35 years old, and have permanent residence in the country for the three years preceding the candidacy.
Rosa plans to spend the remainder of the electoral campaign with her family and wishes for the process to unfold in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere, marked by respect for the will of the voters. She expressed her confidence in the democratic process and the capacity of Cabo Verdean citizens to make informed decisions. The election outcome is expected to be announced soon, and the winner will assume the presidency of Cabo Verde.
The electoral commission has reported that the voting process has started normally across the country, with some polling stations experiencing a higher turnout than others. International observers have been deployed to monitor the process and ensure that it is free and fair. The outcome of the election will determine the next president of Cabo Verde, who will serve a five-year term.
Key points
- Joana Rosa is the first woman to run for the presidency in Cabo Verde.
- The election features six candidates and has attracted over 200 international observers.
- A second round of voting will be held on November 29 if no candidate secures more than half of the valid votes.
