The Constitutional Court of Cape Verde has approved six candidates for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for November 15, 2026. Out of the eleven applications examined, the court selected six candidates to proceed with their bids. This development marks a significant step towards the election, which will determine the next president of the island nation.
Among the approved candidates is Joana Gomes Rosa, a 61-year-old lawyer supported by the Movement for Democracy (MpD). She makes history by becoming the first woman to run for the country's highest office. Gomes Rosa previously served as Minister of Justice from 2021 to 2026, a member of parliament, and president of the MpD parliamentary group. Her candidacy has garnered attention, particularly among the Cape Verdean diaspora.
The incumbent president, José Maria Neves, 66, is also in the running, backed by the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV). The PAICV has historical ties to the independence movement PAIGC, founded by Amílcar Cabral, a prominent figure in the struggle for independence in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Neves is considered a frontrunner in the election.
In addition to Gomes Rosa and Neves, four other candidates were approved: Antero Lúcio Lopes Frances Tavares, a magistrate running as an independent; Casimir Jésus Lopes de Pina, a jurist; Gibson Joao dos Santos Alves, a medical doctor; and Loisito Tavares de Sousa, a teacher. Each candidate will need to garner significant support to win the election.
Gomes Rosa has been actively campaigning, including among the Cape Verdean diaspora in Senegal. Recently, she visited Dakar, where she presented her vision for the country to Cape Verdean residents. She was accompanied by Marie Jeanne Gomis, a deputy representing the diaspora from the MpD. This outreach effort highlights her commitment to engaging with voters both at home and abroad.
According to Cape Verde's electoral rules, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the valid votes to win in the first round. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a second round will be held between the top two candidates. The country's electoral system has been in place since 1991, when direct universal suffrage was introduced for presidential elections.
Cape Verde has had five presidents since gaining independence, with four elected through direct universal suffrage since 1991. The upcoming election will determine the next leader of the archipelago, which has a history of peaceful transfers of power. The outcome will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
Key points
- Joana Gomes Rosa becomes the first woman to run for Cape Verde's presidency.
- The incumbent president, José Maria Neves, is a frontrunner in the election.
- To win the election, a candidate must secure over 50% of the valid votes in the first round.
