The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) has reported progress in the rate of voter turnout for the October 2021 presidential election in Cape Verde.
In its preliminary report on the election, which was conducted on 17 October, the AUEOM stated that 48 percent of registered voters turned out. About 35 percent of registered voters turned out for the previous presidential election.
Cape Verde is a stable democracy with competitive elections and periodic transfers of power between rival parties. The last election held in 2016 was considered free and fair by observer groups.
Freedom House rated the island nation as free in its 2020 Freedom in the World study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide, with the country earning 92 out of a possible 100 points.
‘The opening of polling stations took place in a calm, peaceful and serene atmosphere. The majority of the 14 polling stations observed opened on the prescribed time. The delays of up to 15 minutes, reported from 11 percent of the polling stations visited, were due to the late setting up of these polling stations.
‘Also, in all the polling stations visited by the AUEOM teams, the election personnel were present and the all voting materials were available during the opening. No campaign activities or attempts of vote buying were observed within the vicinities of the polling centres.
‘Additionally, election day procedures gave PwD priority in the queue and assistance, when needed, from persons of their choice or the presiding officer when casting their votes. However, amongst the polling stations visited, 21 percent were not easily accessible to PwD.
‘The voting operations process were observed in 164 out of the 178 polling stations visited on election day, amongst which 99.4 percent of them were organised in a manner that permitted an orderly and transparent vote. The ballot boxes were properly sealed and placed in positions visible to the public’.
The AUEOM statement also observed progress in the rate of voter turnout. Compared to the previous presidential election, which was 35 percent, the turnout for this election reached 48 percent of registered voters.
The AUEOM report called on civil society organisations (CSOs) to undertake advocacy actions before parliament in order to obtain the modification of relevant legal texts for the formal recognition of citizen election observation.
It also recommended that CSOs initiate consultation with concerned electoral stakeholders for the formal inclusion of CSOs in the electoral process.
Source: African Union
Photo source: African Union