African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde is poised to return to power in Cape Verde after nearly 10 years in opposition, following legislative elections held on Sunday.
With 98 per cent of ballots counted, the PAICV had secured 35 parliamentary seats, ahead of the ruling Movement for Democracy, which obtained 31 seats, while the Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union won two seats.
Although results from four diaspora seats are still pending, Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva conceded defeat before the final declaration by the National Electoral Commission.
“I have called the president of the PAICV to congratulate him on the outcome and wish him success in governing Cape Verde,” Correia e Silva said after the vote. The elections recorded low voter turnout, with only about 50 per cent of the country’s 415,000 registered voters casting ballots.
PAICV leader Francisco Carvalho, who currently serves as mayor of the capital Praia, is expected to become the country’s next Prime minister.
Carvalho campaigned on a platform centred on social justice, improved healthcare, expanded access to higher education and better public services across the islands.
“The Cape Verde project for all was the best because it was built around the needs of Cape Verdeans,” Carvalho said after the vote. The country’s electoral commission is expected to announce the final results on May 25.