Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: President, 17 July 2016

At stake in this election:

• The office of the President of São Tomé and Príncipe

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (since 3 September 2011)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Patrice Emery TROVOADA (since 29 November 2014)
• Assembly: São Tomé and Principe has a unicameral Assembleia Nacional (National Assembly) composed of 55 seats, with members serving 4-year terms.

Description

• The president is directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed to serve a 5-year term, with eligibility for a second term.

Last Election:

• The last presidential election was held in two rounds on 17 July and 7 August 2011.  In the second round of voting, Manuel Pinto DA COSTA was elected with 52.88% of the vote, defeating Evaristo do Espirito Santo CARVALHO, who took 47.12%.

Main candidates in the election:

• Manuel Pinto DA COSTA
  • Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Principe - Social Democratic Party/Movimento de Libertação de São Tomé e Príncipe - Partido Social Democrat
• Evaristo do Espirito Santo CARVALHO
  • Independent Democratic Action ADI/Acção Democrática Independente
• Maria das NEVES
  • Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe - Social Democratic Party/Movimento de Libertação de São Tomé e Príncipe/Partido Social Democrata
• Hélder BARROS
  • Party: Independent
• Manuel do ROSARIO
  • Party: Independent

Population and number of registered voters:

·         Population: 194,006 (July 2015 est.)

·         Registered Voters: 92,639 (2011)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 97,188 (July 2015 est.)

·         Is São Tomé a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (31 October 1995)

·         Has São Tomé ratified CEDAW: Yes (3 June 2003)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 10 (18.18%)

·         Human Development Index Position: 143 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is São Tomé and Príncipe a signatory to CRPD: N/A

·         Has São Tomé and Príncipe ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (5 November 2015)

·         Population with a disability: 29,101