2014 São Toméan parliamentary election explained

Parliamentary elections were held in São Tomé and Príncipe on 12 October 2014, alongside regional and local elections.[1] The result was a majority for the opposition Independent Democratic Action led by 2-time Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada, which won 33 of the 55 seats in the National Assembly.[2]

Background

Following the 2010 election in which the Independent Democratic Action got a plurality, the government lost a vote of confidence midway through its term.[2]

Electoral system

The 55 members of the National Assembly were elected by proportional representation in seven multi-member constituencies using the closed list system.[3]

Conduct

The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) was tasked with monitoring the election.[4] The 24-member mission was led by Angolan França Van-Dúnem, who said, after a meeting with President Manuel Pinto da Costa, the mission sought to ensure the election was run in order and peace.[5] There was also an observation mission from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The CPLP report stated that the elections were "transparent, free and fair, and were conducted in an orderly manner. It mentioned that there were some incidents, but that they were unlikely to affect the final results.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Presidente São Tomé e Príncipe anuncia eleições em 12 de Outubro. 15 July 2014. 23 August 2014. www.rtp.pt. RTP. Portuguese.
  2. Web site: Opposition ADI party gets majority in Sao Tome parliamentary vote . . 14 October 2014 . 14 October 2014.
  3. http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2275_B.htm Electoral system
  4. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/10/bishops_look_forward_to_fruitful_elections_in_sao_tome_/1108314 Sao Tome and Principe to hold parliamentary and local elections this Sunday
  5. http://allafrica.com/stories/201410130760.html Angola: Electoral Observers Want Order in Elections
  6. http://www.jornaltropical.st/tropical133.htm Declaração da Missão de Observação Eleitoral da CPLP às Eleições