Cape Verdean presidential election calm, according to CPLP mission
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on A Nação
The head of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) observer mission, Carlos do Rosário, considers the vote peaceful in its first hours, with no pressure on voters. He nonetheless believes turnout could be higher, according to the INFORPRESS agency.
Carlos do Rosário, head of the observer mission of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), considers the presidential vote in Cape Verde calm. In statements to the Cape Verdean agency Inforpress, after visiting several polling stations, he says voters are casting their ballots without any pressure and refers to 'freedom of choice'.
No difficulties were observed at the opening of the polling stations visited. The official considers turnout could be higher, while judging it too early for a final assessment. The mission will continue its monitoring throughout the day.
Six candidates appear on the ballot: Antero Tavares, Casimiro de Pina, José Maria Neves, Gilson Alves, Joana Rosa and Loisito Sousa, in the order drawn by lot. Of 419,448 registered voters, between Cape Verde and the diaspora, 343,065 are on national territory. More than 200 international observers are present, notably from ECOWAS, the African Union, the CPLP and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
This calm contrasts with Saturday 14 November, when some polling stations were short of poll workers.
