Parliamentary elections were held in São Tomé and Príncipe on 20 January 1991. They were the first multi-party elections for the

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the rep ...

, following a

referendum A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...

the previous year. The result was a victory for the

Democratic Convergence Party-Reflection Group Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

, 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 A dissident is a person who actively challenges an established political or religious system, doctrine, belief, policy, or institution. In a religious context, the word has been used since the 18th century, and in the political sense since the 20th ...

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

s, and young professionals. Some of the smaller parties that participated in the election were the FDC, or

Christian Democratic Front The Christian Democratic Front ( pt, Frente Democrática Cristã) is a small political party in São Tomé and Príncipe. It failed to win any seats in the National Assembly following elections held on 26 March 2006. The party supported Fradiqu ...

and the Democratic Coalition of the Opposition (CODO), created by the merger of three former overseas

opposition Opposition may refer to: Arts and media * ''Opposition'' (Altars EP), 2011 EP by Christian metalcore band Altars * The Opposition (band), a London post-punk band * '' The Opposition with Jordan Klepper'', a late-night television series on Com ...

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.Sao Tome and Principe: Elections held in 1991
Inter-Parliamentary Union A transitional government headed by

Daniel Daio Daniel Lima dos Santos Daio (born 1947) is a former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. The first person freely elected to the position, he held the post from 7 February 1991 to 16 May 1992. He is a member of the Democratic Convergence Pa ...

was installed in February pending

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to be held in March.

Results

References

{{São Tomé and Príncipe elections Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé São Tomé is the capital and largest city of the Central African island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its name is Portuguese for " Saint Thomas". Founded in the 15th century, it is one of Africa's oldest colonial cities. History Álvar ...

Legislative A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known ...