Cabo Verde
West Africa · cv
Semi-presidential republic. The president is directly elected in a nationwide contest by absolute majority, with a second round between the leading two candidates if required.
Profile last reviewed July 23, 2026
Cabo Verde combines a directly elected president with a government responsible to a 72-seat National Assembly. Presidential voters in the islands and diaspora form one national contest, although the constitution limits how much an exceptionally large overseas vote can weigh. The CNE supervises elections and publishes final results.
How voting works today
- Voting age
- 18 and over
- Voter registration
- Voter-initiated
- Identification
- Photo ID required
- Compulsory voting
- No
- Postal voting
- Not available
- Early voting
- Not available
- Online voting
- Not available
- Voting from abroad
- Available to all
Cabo Verdean citizens who are 18 by election day must register in person. Citizens abroad register through electoral-registration commissions generally operating at consulates, embassies or diplomatic missions and vote in person.
How the franchise changed
Every entry records a change in who could vote, or how — expansions, restrictions and procedural reforms alike.
- 1975Expansion
Independence established national citizenship and electoral institutions, initially within a one-party system.
Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde - 1991Expansion
The first competitive multiparty parliamentary and presidential elections transferred power peacefully.
Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde - 1992Reform
A democratic constitution entrenched universal, direct and secret presidential voting, political pluralism and an independent National Elections Commission.
Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde - 2026Reform
The CNE aligned the presidential register in Cabo Verde and the diaspora around a 65-day pre-election registration suspension followed by roll inspection and complaints.
Presidential election of 15 November 2026
Safeguards on the count
- Ballot type
- Paper ballots
- Post-election audit
- Judicial challenge only
- Election administration
- Independent commission
- Domestic observers
- Yes
- International observers
- Yes
Polling-station records feed municipal, regional and national tabulation. The CNE publishes official results; candidates and representatives may challenge acts through the electoral complaint and court framework. African Union and ECOWAS observers attended the 2021 presidential tabulation.
Worth knowing
- José Maria Neves won the 2021 presidency with 51.75% of valid votes after all 1,294 polling stations in Cabo Verde and abroad were tabulated.CNE activity report 2021
- The constitution provides a second presidential ballot between the top two candidates if no one receives an absolute majority of valid votes.Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde
Elections in the database
- 2026Cabo Verde 2026 Presidential ElectionElection Watch
People
- Head of stateJosé Maria NevesPresident of Cabo Verde
Sources
- Electoral Code— National Elections Commission of Cabo Verde
- Voter-registration questions— National Elections Commission of Cabo Verde
- Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde— National Assembly of Cabo Verde