Presidential elections were held in São Tomé and Príncipe on 17 July 2016.Global elections calendar NDI Initial results suggested Evaristo Carvalho of Independent Democratic Action had been elected in the first round of voting, defeating incumbent President Manuel Pinto da Costa;São Tomé/Eleições: Evaristo Carvalho eleito Presidente à primeira volta Correio de manhã, 18 July 2016 however, the results was subsequently annulled, necessitating a second round between Carvalho and Pinto da Costa,Sao Tome presidential election results canceled for a second round Africanews, 22 July 2016 which was held on 7 August.Sao Tome election goes to second round after court ruling Townhall, 24 July 2016 However, Pinto da Costa boycotted the second round after claiming the first round had been fraudulent,Sao Tome and Principe president boycotts own run-off vote BBC News, 8 August 2016 meaning Carvalho was elected unopposed.Resultado Geral Provisórios das Eleições Presidenciais 2016 2ª Volta CEN

Electoral system The President of São Tomé and Príncipe is elected using the two-round system.Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe IFES If no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a run-off between the top two candidates.

Candidates There were five candidates, including incumbent President Manuel Pinto da Costa,Des élections pour l’archipel africain Sao Tomé et Principe Le Monde, 15 July 2016 two former prime ministers, Evaristo Carvalho from Independent Democratic Action and Maria das Neves from the MLSTP/PSD, as well as two independents.

Carvalho stood as the candidate of the ruling ADI, the party of Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. Carvalho was initially declared the winner in the first round with slightly more than 50% of the vote, but Carvalho's score was subsequently adjusted downward to 49.88%, necessitating a second round against President Pinto da Costa. However, Pinto da Costa refused to participate in the second round, alleging fraud and calling for a boycott.Sao Tome votes in runoff boycotted by president Agence France-Presse, 6 August 2016

Results

References