Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister satisfied with election outcome

The Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Patrice Trovoada on Tuesday hailed the end of a long period of government coalition, after the straight-out victory of Evaristo Carvalho.

The head of government said that the conditions now exist for a better cohesion within the government, and for better institutional relations including Parliament and the courts. He also urged all the people to work to move the country forward.

Carvalho, 74, won the second round of Sunday’s presidential election with just over 42,000 votes out of about 111,000 registered in the small archipelago, according to official results. Final results are expected in the coming days.

As in Portugal, the former colonial power, the presiding arbitrator but does not govern, leaving the real power to the prime minister in this country of a population of 200,000 people, independent since 1975 and which is 90% dependent on international aid.

Outgoing President Manuel Pinto da Costa, 79 made no statement from the unsurprising victory of his opponent, who was the sole runner in the 2nd round.

Last week Pinto da Costa pulled of the race, citing election fraud. He urged his supported to boycott the polls. Voter turnout was low at about 46 percent and about 10 000 ballots according to the electoral commission were either spoilt or blank.

AFP