The Constitution provides the framework for politics in São Tomé and Príncipe. Public authority is divided among institutions with separate but interdependent responsibilities: the President, Assembleia Nacional, Government and courts. The country has six districts on São Tomé and the Região Autónoma do Príncipe, which has its own political and administrative institutions within the national state structure. Elections provide democratic mandates at several levels. Presidential, legislative, local and regional elections use universal, equal, direct and secret suffrage. São Toméan citizens over 18 who are registered in the electoral register can vote, including eligible voters registered through the diaspora system. Presidential elections use a majority system. Legislative elections use closed party lists and proportional allocation of seats. Local and regional elections connect political representation with the districts and the autonomous region.
Politics in São Tomé and Príncipe
Politics in São Tomé and Príncipe covers the organization of public authority and the way citizens choose political representatives. The country is a unitary, secular democratic state governed by the Constitution, with responsibilities shared among the President, Assembleia Nacional, Government and courts. Elections include presidential, legislative, local and regional contests, while Príncipe has autonomous political and administrative institutions.
Tip
Start by identifying whether your question concerns a national institution, an election, a district or the Região Autónoma do Príncipe. Match the election type to your purpose: presidential elections concern the choice of the President, while legislative elections use party lists and proportional seat allocation. If you plan to vote, confirm that you meet the nationality, age and electoral-registration conditions, including the applicable diaspora registration arrangements.