| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Assembleia Nacional / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
6 February 2011 |
| Purpose of elections |
Elections were held for all seats in National Assembly on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. |
The February 2011 elections saw once again a duel between the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) and its main rival, the Movement for Democracy (MPD). The PAICV was the country's only political party following independence from Portugal in 1975. Since the adoption of a multiparty system in 1991, the PAICV and the MPD have alternated power. Despite a shortage of resources and chronic drought, the country of 500,000 inhabitants has enjoyed political stability. In addition, the remittances of the 700,000 Cape Verdeans living abroad have provided an important source of revenue.
In the previous elections held in January 2006, the PAICV, which had regained power in 2001, took 41 of the 72 seats at stake, giving a second mandate to Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves. The MPD took 29 and the remaining two seats went to the Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID). In the presidential elections held in February 2006, Mr. Pedro de Verona Rodrigues Pires (PAICV) won 51 per cent of the vote, narrowly defeating his rival, Mr. Carlos Veiga (MPD).
Under the PAICV government, the country graduated from the category of the least developed countries (LDCs, see note) in June 2007. However, the global economic crisis had a negative impact on remittances from overseas, and unemployment remained high (13 per cent according to the government and 17 per cent according to the MPD). According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy is expected to grow by 6 per cent in 2011, thanks to the booming tourism industry.
PAICV president and Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves ran on the government's record, citing the construction of three international airports and several roads over the past 10 years under PAICV rule. The PAICV promised to raise social pensions (received by persons aged over 60 with no other form of pension) and establish a national minimum wage.
MPD leader, Mr. Carlos Veiga - prime minister between 1991 and 2001 - argued that the country needed strong leadership to reverse its current economic situation. The MPD criticized the PAICV for failing in fundamental sectors such as employment, water and electricity, security, education and health.
The UCID, led by Mr. António Monteiro, pledged to fight what it termed the chronic bipolarization in the National Assembly.
Over 71 per cent of the 298,000 registered voters turned out at the polls.
Voting took place without any major incident. The publication of the results was delayed due to power cuts. Before the announcement of the final results, MPD leader Veiga conceded defeat. He congratulated the PAICV on its victory, pledging to lead a strong opposition to defend the values of the Cape Verdean people.
Observers from the African Union concluded that the elections had been "free, transparent, regular and fair", but recommended the use of transparent and duly marked ballot boxes and the removal of campaign posters and materials prior to election day. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso congratulated the Cape Verdean people for "the high level of civism and democratic vitality demonstrated during the campaign and the vote itself".
The final results gave 38 seats to the PAICV, and thus a third consecutive term in office. The MPD took 32 and the UCID retained its two seats.
On 11 March, the newly elected National Assembly held its first session and elected Mr. Basilio Mosso Ramos (PAICV) as its Speaker.
Note:
The LDCs are those nations classified by the United Nations as having the least socio-economic development - with low income, weak human assets and economic vulnerability - and being the most in need of international support. |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 6 February 2011 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
298'567
226'942 (76.01%)
2'990
223'952 |
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
Gain/loss |
National seats |
Seats abroad |
Number of women |
| African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) |
38
|
-3 |
35 |
3 |
7 |
| Movement for Democracy (MPD) |
32
|
3 |
29 |
3 |
8 |
| Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID) |
2
|
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
57
15
20.83%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
National Assembly (07.03.2011)
http://www.legislativas2011.gov.cv/legislativas2011/index.html
http://legislativas2011.sapo.cv/info/artigo/1130646.html |
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
