1991 São Toméan parliamentary election

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 76.7%.

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.^[1] 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	21,535	59.33	33	New
	MLSTP/PSD	12,090	33.31	21	–30
	Opposition Democratic Coalition	2,071	5.71	1	New
	Christian Democratic Front	598	1.65	0	New
Total		36,294	100.00	55	+4
Valid votes		36,294	91.64
Invalid/blank votes		3,311	8.36
Total votes		39,605	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		51,610	76.74
Source: Romana^[2]

References

1. Sao Tome and Principe: Elections held in 1991 Inter-Parliamentary Union
2. Heitor Alberto Coelho Barras Romana (1997) São Tomé e Príncipe: Elementos para uma análise antropológica das suas vulnerabilidades e potencialidades, p186