Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Praia, the head of state added that the possibility of a second round of presidential elections is reserved for 29 November.
José Maria Neves said he had listened to all parties, including the Movement for Democracy (MpD, in power), the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV, opposition) and the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID, opposition, third parliamentary force).
“Looking at all the possible dates, namely religious festivals and people’s mobility in April and May, I decided to set these dates for the legislative and presidential elections,” he explained.
Before setting the election dates, the president said he consulted the National Election Commission (CNE) to confirm that all the conditions for holding the elections were in place.
“The conditions already exist. Our appeal is for the parliamentary groups to quickly reach an agreement in parliament on the constitution of the overseas registration committees, avoiding constraints on participation, especially from the diaspora,” he added.
José Maria Neves also called on Cabo Verde’s citizens to register and participate in these elections, both to choose their MPs and, later, the President of the Republic.
“I ask for restraint from everyone and a high-level debate between parties, citizens and civil society, so that we can have participatory elections that dignify the Republic. I will publish, at the right time, the presidential decrees to set the date for the legislative elections,” he concluded.
The MpD will try to ensure a third consecutive term, once again betting on the prime minister of the last two terms, Ulisses Correia e Silva. On the opposition side, the PAICV is presenting Francisco Carvalho, Mayor of Praia, to return to the leadership of the Government.
