Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: For legislative elections the country is divided into electoral constituencies each of which elects 4 representatives.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006),
art. 17: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2021/06/17
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments: The electoral law states that the constituencies shall broadly confirm to the existing administrative districts.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006),
art. 17: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2021/06/17
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: Existing administrative boundaries are used.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006),
art. 17: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The head of state is the President, elected by universal, direct and secret suffrage for a five year term.
Absolute majority is required in the first round; if no candidate achieves the required majority, a run-off election is held between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes in the first round. (IFES Election Guide: https://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/188/)
Source: Constitution, Art. 77 and Art.79: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2021/06/17
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is designated by the President of the Republic, taking into consideration the electoral results
Source: Constitution, Art. 110: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2021/06/17
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 77: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2021/06/17
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The National Assembly is the highest representative and legislative organ of the state.
Source: Constitution, Title IV Art. 92: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2021/06/17
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 24: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2021/06/17
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990:https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law;
Law on the Right to Vote and Voter Registration n.º 5/96 of 20 June 1996, as amended (latest amendment - 2003);
Law on Financing of Political Parties and Electoral Campaigns n.º 9/2004 of 30 December 2004;
Law on Political Parties n.º 8/90 of 21 September 1990: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-law-on-political-parties
Verified: 2021/06/18
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: Presidential and legislative elections.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2021/06/18
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: All citizens of more than eighteen years have the right of suffrage, excepting incompetence as provided in the general law
IDEA List of Compulsory Voting Countries: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/voter-turnout/compulsory-voting (Sao Tome and Principe)
Source: Constitution, Art. 57: https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en
Verified: 2021/06/18
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary d . Other
Comments: The Supreme Court of Justice and The District Counting Committee (Asambleia de Apuramento Distrital).
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, art. 163, 164: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2021/06/18
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53:
http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
e . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53
http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
f . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
e . No Information Available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2016/06/28
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
k . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53
http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2016/06/28
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ST/sao-tome-e-principe-electoral-law
Verified: 2016/06/28
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on Electoral Commission n.º12/90 of 26 November 1990
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 53
http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 57: http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016);
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 6: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 2, 6, 8: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016);
Constitution, Art. 57: http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
f . No information available
Comments:
Source: Law on the Right to Vote and Voter Registration n.º 5/96 of 20 June 1996, as amended (latest amendment - 2003);
Constitution, Art. 58: http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016);
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 2 (3), 107: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 2, 107: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 19, 32, 33, 34, 37: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: Citizens with double nationality are eligible to stand for legislative elections provided that they reside in the constituency they wish to represent.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 10, 18: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Provided that they are supported by a group of 100 qualified electors.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 19, 38: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 85, 98: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016);
Law No. 8/90 on Political Parties, art. 26, 27: http://www.stj.st/download/lei_dos_partidos_politicos.pdf (2016);
Law No. 09/04 on political party funding, art. 4
Verified: 2016/06/28
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance b . Based on result of previous election
Comments:
Source: Law No. 8/90 on Political Parties, art. 26, 27: http://www.stj.st/download/lei_dos_partidos_politicos.pdf (2016);
Law No. 09/04 on political party funding, art. 5 (2)
Verified: 2016/06/28
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 100: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2012);
Law No. 8/90 on Political Parties, art. 27: http://www.stj.st/download/lei_dos_partidos_politicos.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 133, 134: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 159: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: Free broadcast time on public radio and television is distributed by the National Electoral Commission equally to all candidates during the electoral campaign.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 85, 94, 95, 96: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006): http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006): http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no specific legal provisions in this regard.
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006): http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
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, Art. 123 (2):https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 123 (2):https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 123 (2):https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Constitution, :https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Constitution,:https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Constitution,:https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_1990.pdf?lang=en (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 123(2): http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
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:
d . No information available
Comments: The referendum can only deal with issues of national interest that should be decided by the National Assembly or the Government through the adoption of international convention or legislative act. Constitutional amendments, as well as issues and acts of budgetary, financial or fiscal content are outside the scope of referendum.
Source: Constitution, Art. 123(2): http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Constitution, Art. 123(2): http://www.gov.st/data/filestorage/docs/constistp.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections f . By mail
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 106, 120, 124, 125, 126: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 9, 72: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 9, 72: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 108, 122: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
Verified: 2016/06/28
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