Cape Verde also called Cabo Verde is officially known as the Republic of Cabo Verde is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean. The capital city of Cabo Verde is Praia, which is situated on the south shore of Santiago. The total population of the country is around 563,721 people.
Cabo Verde gain independence from the Portuguese in 1975, since then, the country has experienced a stable democracy.
The main legislative body is the National Assembly which is unicameral and composed of 72 statutory and current members who are directly elected into office for a tenure of 5 years. Women constitute about 17 (23.61%) of the Assembly.
Election of members to the National Assembly is done through Proportional representation; closed party-list system (cumulative voting) using the d’Hondt method
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by substitutes elected at the same time as titular members.
There are no reserved seats for women, ethnic minorities, or other categories.
Both electors and voters must be 18 years of age and Cape Verdean citizens before they are considered qualified to vote or contest.
Government members, judges, diplomats, and members of the armed forces on active duty are not qualified to run for the National Assembly elections.
In the 2016 National Assembly elections, 6 political parties contested, out of this number, 3 won; Movement for Democracy (MpD), African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV), and Union for an Independent Democratic Cape Verde (UCID) respectively.
*NOTES
Six members represent Cabo Verdean citizens abroad: two each from the Americas, the rest of Africa, and Europe.
Source: http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2057_A.htm
Last Updated: 28 April 2016
Official Website: http://www.parlamento.cv/