São Tomé and Príncipe legislative election, 1991

Parliamentary elections were held in São Tomé and Príncipe on 20 January 1991. They were the first multi-party elections for the National Assembly, following a referendum the previous year. The result was a victory for the Democratic Convergence Party-Reflection Group, which won 33 of the 55 seats, defeating the former sole legal party, the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe - Social Democratic Party. Voter turnout was 77.1%.^[1]

Background and outcome of elections

The main political parties in the election were the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe - Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD), the former sole legal party and the Democratic Convergence Party - Reflection Group (PCD-GR), a party formed by a coalition of MLSTP dissidents, independents, and young professionals. Some of the smaller parties that participated in the election were the FDC, or Christian Democratic Front and the Democratic Coalition of the Opposition (CODO), created by the merger of three former overseas opposition movements.

The elections, deemed transparent, free, and fair resulted in victory for the PCD-GR, with the MLSTP defeat blamed on the country's economic problems.^[2] A transitional government headed by Daniel Daio was installed in February pending presidential elections to be held in March.

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats
Democratic Convergence Party-Reflection Group	21,535	54.4	33
Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe - Social Democratic Party	12,090	30.5	21
Democratic Coalition of the Opposition	2,071	5.0	1
Christian Democratic Front	598	1.5	0
Invalid/blank votes	3,171	8.6	0
Total	39,605	100	55
Source: Nohlen et al.

References

1. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p746 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
2. Sao Tome and Principe: Elections held in 1991 Inter-Parliamentary Union