Cabo Verde electoral system: Three key lessons for Nigeria

Cabo Verde is widely acknowledged as one of Africa’s leading democracies, with a well-established reputation for organising credible, transparent, and peaceful elections. According to Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2025 report, the country is classified as “Free”, scoring 92 out of 100 on the Global Freedom Index, underscoring its strong commitment to democratic governance, political pluralism, and civil liberties.

Although the country has a sizeable population compared to other member states in the region, there are significant lessons to learn from the electoral system in the country. 

Public trust in the electoral commissions: There is high level of public trust with the institutions saddled with the responsibility of conducting the elections, unlike what is applicable to Nigeria where party agents must be present at the polling centres during counting of results and also sign the result sheets, for Cabo Verde, Party agents do not sign the polling centre result and also do not necessary need to be at the polling centre to observe the opening of ballot box,  counting, recording and transmission of results. 

Due to the high institutional credibility and the transparent legal framework in the country, the electorate see it as embracing for any political party or candidate to contest the outcomes of the elections, this trust has eliminated any form of litigation in there system.

Gender Parity & Women’s Representation: There is a Bill at the National Assembly  ‘The Special Seats Bill (a.k.a Additional or Reserved Seats Bill) This is a Constitution Alteration Bill that seeks to remedy the low representation of  women in Legislative Houses by providing for the creation of an additional number of legislative seats to be contested and filled by women in the National Assembly and  State Houses of Assembly as a temporary measure to boost the numbers of women  in decision making. The Bill proposes the creation of one Special Seat for Women per Senatorial District and one per Federal Constituency, to be contested by women in general elections. Achieving these milestones might be challenging due the complexity of the Nigeria state, rather than creating more additional or reserved seats the system adopted in cabo verde can be model. In Cabo Verde, Gender Parity is achieved through the Parity law in force since 2019 which make its compulsory for Minimum 40% representation for either gender on candidate lists from all political parties, in fact it is compulsory the top two positions on party lists must include both genders. No more than two consecutive candidates of the same gender are allowed. If this is adopted in Nigeria, all political parties will be required to fill in women candidates for all levels of positions to be contested. 

Use of voter’s card: Unlike Nigeria where section 47(1) of the electoral Act 2026 makes is mandatory for the presentation of a permanent voters card before a registered vote can exercise his/her franchise, in Cabo Verde, Article 7, Law No. 56/VII/2010 of 9 March (Cape Verde Electoral Law) —does not make the voters card the only means of identification for voting, Voters  vote by presenting a simple Identification card even if is expired, abroad voters may use their host country passport provided it is valid. This system ensure that registered voters are not disenfranchise on election days.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the electoral commission and political parties must be intentional in restoring public trust and work towards building a strong democratic culture that will become a mirror in the region. 

Daniel Mkpume wrote from Abuja

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)