Overview
- Voting began at 8:00 a.m. (0900 GMT) on Sunday, Nov. 15, with polls open for 10 hours and provisional results expected overnight.
- Incumbent José Maria Neves is widely seen as the favorite to win a second term while Joana Rosa Amado is the main challenger and the first woman to run for the presidency.
- PAICV, which backed Neves, won a slim majority in May’s legislative vote and the presidency’s role in Cabo Verde’s semi‑presidential system could affect the party’s ability to govern.
- Campaign issues driving voter concern include rising cost of living, fuel prices, youth unemployment and poor air and sea links between islands as tourism expands.
- If no candidate wins a majority a runoff is scheduled for Nov. 29, and overseas voting and provisional tallies overnight will be key indicators to watch.