São Tomé and Príncipe

A complete small-state cycle with limited international spillover but genuine relevance to democratic continuity and governance.

• Reuters: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2026/07/20/sao-tome-and-principe-president-vila-nova-wins-second-term-preliminary-results-show
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9an_presidential_election

Incumbent President Carlos Vila Nova, running as an independent after splitting with the party that first elected him, won a second term outright in the first round with 55.94% of the vote, defeating his former ally Nito Abreu. Legislative and local elections followed on 27 September.

No observer assessment recorded yet.

Past elections, turnout and electoral system details for São Tomé and Príncipe, from IFES ElectionGuide.