Voters in Guinea-Bissau are waiting for the results of Sunday’s vote to elect MPs.
Nearly one million out of the country’s two million population registered to vote in the legislative election that closed at 17:00 local time, according to the National Election Commission of Guinea-Bissau.
About 200 election observers, including 75 from the West Africa regional bloc Ecowas, witnessed the keenly contested vote, with none of the 22 political parties expected to win absolute majority in the polls.
The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), had traditionally been the leading party but is now in opposition despite having the biggest number of seats.
The largest party or coalition in parliament appoints the government under the current constitution. Still, the president has the power to dismiss it in certain circumstances – a situation that has led to political deadlocks in the past.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was elected in 2020 under the Madem-G15 party – which broke away from the PAIGC. Madem-G15 had the second highest number of seats.
Last year the president faced criticism after he dissolved parliament and appointed his own officials in government, three months after he said he had survived a coup attempt.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.