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SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
Assembleia nacional (National Assembly)

This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Modules:
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name (generic / translated) Assembleia Nacional / National Assembly
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Structure of parliament Unicameral
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 2000 -
LEADERSHIP
President José da Graça Diogo (M) 
Notes Elected on 22 Nov. 2014.
Secretary General Domingos José da Trindade Boa Morte (M) 
Notes Elected on 22 Nov. 2014.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 55 / 55
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 10 (18.18%)
Mode of designation directly elected 55
Term 4 years
Last renewal dates 12 October 2014
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Assembleia Nacional
Palácio dos Congressos
C.P. No 181 - SAO TOME
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (239) 2222 896
2227 203
Fax (239) 2222 835
E-mail garepi@parlamento.st
Website
http://www.parlamento.st/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name (generic / translated) Assembleia Nacional / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Unicameral
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 7 May 1975
Mode of designation directly elected 55
Constituencies 7 multi-member constituencies.
Voting system Proportional: Proportional representation system with closed party lists.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by the "next-in-line" candidates of the same party list.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - age: 18 years
- Sao Tome citizenship
- disqualifications: mental deficiency, allegiance to foreign State, criminal conviction
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - qualified electors
- age: 18 years
- Sao Tome citizenship
- ineligibilities: convicted persons with a suspended sentence, those sentenced to imprisonment and still serving, those legally deprived of their political rights
Incompatibilities - members of the National Electoral Commission
- members of the Government and their office directors
- ambassadors, directors general
Candidacy requirements - nomination by a party and inclusion on its list or by group of 250 qualified electors

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name (generic / translated) Assembleia Nacional / National Assembly
Structure of parliament Unicameral
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 12 October 2014
Timing and scope of renewal The Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI) led by former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada won a majority, taking 33 seats in the 55-member National Assembly. The Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD) of Mr. Aurélio Martins followed with 16 seats. Prime Minister Gabriel Costa's Democratic Convergence Party (PCD) came in a distant third with five seats.

ADI leader Trovoada returned to the country shortly before the polling day after two years of exile in Portugal. He called on voters to support the ADI to promote the country's stability. The MLSTP-PSD's premiership candidate, Mr. Osvaldo Vaz, reminded voters that vote-buying had no place in a democracy and urged everyone to respect the electoral process. The PCD promised to build a "just and fairer" country by creating jobs and eradicating poverty.

The ADI won the biggest share of seats in the previous elections in 2010 but fell short of a majority. Mr. Trovoada subsequently formed a minority government. However, in December 2012, President Manuel Pinto da Costa (independent, formerly MLSTP-PSD) dismissed him following a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. The President then appointed Mr. Gabriel Costa (PCD) as the new Prime Minister. The latter's premiership candidacy was supported by all parliamentary parties apart from the ADI. Mr. Trovoada went into voluntary exile, claiming that he was being politically persecuted.
Date of previous elections: 1 August 2010

Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
*Article 21 of the Electoral Law stipulates that "The election of the National Assembly is held between the 22 September and on 14 October corresponding to the term of parliamentary year, unless the election results from dissolution".

Expected date of next elections: October 2018

Number of seats at stake: 55 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: Not available

Percentage of women candidates: Not available

Number of parties contesting the election: 12

Number of parties winning seats: 4

Alternation of power: N/A*
*The composition of the government had changed before the 2014 elections.

Number of parties in government: 1

Names of parties in government: Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI)

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 22 November 2014

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. José da Graça Diogo (Independent Democratic Alliance, ADI)
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 112 October 2014
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
92'790
69'510 (74.91%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI)
Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement - Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD)
Democratic Convergence Party (PCD)
Democracy and Development Union (UDD)
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI) 33
Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement - Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD) 16
Democratic Convergence Party (PCD) 5
Democracy and Development Union (UDD) 1
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
45

10

18.18%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Sources:
National Assembly (17.11.2014)
http://www.stp-press.st/

This page was last updated on 3 December 2014
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