The people of Guinea-Bissau are eagerly awaiting the results of the parliamentary election held on Sunday.
Out of the country’s population of two million, nearly one million citizens registered to vote in this legislative election, which concluded at 17:00 local time, as reported by the National Election Commission of Guinea-Bissau.
Approximately 200 election observers, including 75 from the West Africa regional bloc Ecowas, closely monitored the hotly contested vote. With none of the 22 political parties expected to secure an absolute majority, the outcome remains uncertain.
The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which historically held the leading position, is currently in opposition despite having the largest number of seats.
According to the current constitution, the largest party or coalition in parliament is responsible for forming the government. However, the president retains the authority to dismiss it under certain circumstances, which has resulted in political stalemates in the past.
President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, elected in 2020 under the Madem-G15 party (which splintered from the PAIGC), faced criticism last year when he dissolved parliament and appointed his own government officials three months after claiming to have survived a coup attempt.
As the results of the parliamentary election are awaited, the political landscape of Guinea-Bissau stands at a crucial juncture, with implications for the formation of the government and the country’s future direction.