Electoral administration
The National Election Commission (CNE) is an independent body with a mandate to organize and supervise all elections and referenda.
The Executive Secretariat is the permanent, administrative and operational part of CNE and is composed of the President of the CNE, one Secretary and two Deputy Secretaries elected for four years by the National Assembly with a 2/3 majority. The secretaries are in charge of different departments.
Ninety days before any Election Day and until announcement of final results the CNE is augmented with temporary members.
- Two representatives from the government.
- One representative from each of the registered political parties
- One from the National Media Counsel
- One representative from each presidential candidate
Consensus decision making shall apply in CNE plenary sessions. If consensus is not reached the president of the CNE has a casting vote.
Nine Regional Election Commissions (CRE) represent CNE on regional level.
Other institutions with election duties and responsibilities.
- Ministério da Administração Interna/ Secretaria de Estado da Administração Territorial/GTAPE: Under supervision of CNE responsible for the voter registration process.
- Supremo Tribunal de Justiça Verifies candidate applications, decides on election complaints.
- Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros: Responsible for voter registration and voting process abroad.
- Presidência da República: Decide and announce election dates.
Voter Registration
The last full scale voter registration was conducted in June-July 2008.
In April and May 2009 old voter cards were replaced during a countrywide campaign.
Nomination and Verification Presidential Candidates:
Any person holding all civil and political rights established by law, older than 35 years with both parents also being citizens by birth can be nominated as a Presidential candidate.
Supremo Tribunal de Justiça verifies nominations by confirming identity, criminal records, testimony from notaries publicus and voter eligibility.
Election Campaign:
Election campaigning can begin 21 days before Election Day and must terminate at 00 am the day before Election Day.
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