Info
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 4 (1), 103, 157, 158, 160, 175 (i), 203 (2-a), 254 (1-c): https://www.parlamento.cv/Constituicao/ (2026)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 4 (1), 103, 157, 158, 160, 175 (i), 203 (2-a), 254 (1-c): https://www.parlamento.cv/Constituicao/ (2026)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The initiative to trigger an optional national referendum on issues of "relevant national interest" belongs to the National Assembly and the government. However, the Constitution explicitly prohibits several topics from being the object of a referendum, including the separation of powers, the independence of the courts, budgetary/tax instruments, and constitutionally established rights and liberties.
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 4 (1), 103, 157, 158, 160, 175 (i), 203 (2-a), 254 (1-c): https://www.parlamento.cv/Constituicao/ (2026)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010:
https://www.parlamento.cv/Constituicao/ (2026);
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Constitution explicitly lists the direct initiative of a group of voting citizens as one of the three ways laws can be initiated in the country. This right is exercised by a group of voting citizens under terms and conditions that must be regulated by a specific law. Citizens also have a right of petition, by which they may present written petitions, complaints, or claims to sovereign bodies for the protection of their rights, the Constitution, laws, or the general interest. The Constitution mandates that petitions submitted to the National Assembly be submitted to the Plenary for assessment under the terms of the law.
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 59, 157: http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20da%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010: http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20da%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: The result of the referendum is binding to all the organs of political power and public and private entities.
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 103 (5): http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20da%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The law does not restrict referendums only to specific legislative topics, provided they do not fall into the prohibited categories. Each referendum shall only have a sole question as its object and the following questions shall not, in any case, be submitted to popular scrutiny:
a) Separation and the interdependence of the organs of sovereignty and their powers;
b) Independence of the courts and their decisions;
c) Separation of churches from the State;
d) Appointment of the elected holders of the organs of sovereignty and of local administration by universal, direct, secret and periodic ballot;
e) Pluralism of expression, existence of political parties and associations and rights of the opposition;
f) Rights, liberties and guarantees established constitutionally;
g) National or local acts which have a budgetary, tributary or financial content;
h) Autonomy of the local administration, as well as the organization and competence of their organs.
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 103 (3), 203 (2-a): http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20da%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2026/04/05
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The local referendum always has a deliberative effect.
Source: Constitution of Cape Verde as amended in 2010, art. 176 (b), 103 (5, 7): http://www.parlamento.cv/Downloads/Constitui%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20da%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20de%20Cabo%20verde,%202010.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2026/04/05
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
