BREAKING: Voting massively Begins Across Cape Verde as ECOWAS Observers Visit Polling Centers

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:03]Good morning everyone, wherever you're watching us from this morning. It's morning here in Kid for about this time.

[00:00:08]It's 7:48 as the people of Kid for are out here to vote. We're currently at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the people get ready for the legislative election and today Kid for the inside who gets to be the head of their Parliament. Well, we'll get more their election centers polling centers where they're going to vote and couple of things we'll serve in here this morning women men younger people are also participating but Kid for decides today who owns the parliamentary. We give you the detail as we go about all of today.

[00:00:43]So we're now going to take you in to one of the polling stations. As a matter of fact, this is the foreign affairs of the of Kid for to say. So let's take you now in as people get ready to vote. We're here with the Equus mission as they get to observe the entire process and that's exactly what they're doing about this moment. They're observing how the process is going to also inform you. You know, Equus mission here is to obviously observe everyone.

[00:01:17]So as they get to observe the entire process several things they're looking for the gender the participation of young people older people and everyone inclusive. So we're looking at the democratic process here as Kid for gets to decide today who owns the parliamentary and in fact, that's the ballot box stand to be corrected. That's the ballot box there there that they are preparing so that people can vote at this polling station here in Kid for it. All of the details stay with us.

[00:01:57]This is LNTV.

[00:02:02]What we are observing here now, outside, are people getting ready to come in.

[00:02:09]As they get That is Senator Snow who's also a part of this mission of ECOWAS observation, observing electoral process in the different parts of West African countries.

[00:02:24]So, yes, this is what the process is.

[00:02:26]This is the ballot box again to say.

[00:02:29]And we are out here observing how this entire process go. We know in different West African countries how it's like.

[00:02:38]So, yes, guys.

[00:02:42]Thank you. So, Constance, basically, what's happening right now is that they're preparing the very first ballot box right before the election observers themselves. And it was empty. They showed the empty ballot box to us. And they're tipping it, uh, making sure that it's, uh, completely sealed. And then they can only open the space where you would slip, uh, your ballot paper in.

[00:03:04]So, as you can see, the election, uh, workers here, just where I had a force here, uh, basically trying to put everything in place because in the next few minutes, uh, voters will start queuing up, uh, to start to come, uh, here to start casting their vote. Now, don't forget today is Sunday and the streets are relatively calm. Uh, but of course, legislative elections here in in Cape Verde is a huge thing, uh, because the, uh, legislature determines who heads the parliament. And so, um, the three leading, uh, political parties, uh, that are into this elections are fighting hard to ensure, uh, their candidates can be, uh, the next prime minister here in Cabo Verde or Cape Verde, if you may. So, for the fact that we are following the ECOWAS observer mission, we'll be fortunate to go through every part as the, uh, observe us as you know observe the process. ECOWAS observe the process. And then right after voting today, ECOWAS is also expected to release an official statement uh into the uh the the you know the conduct of the elections. And so uh you're seeing the election uh you may call them polling staff.

[00:04:10]Uh they are making sure that they can put everything in place ballot papers, uh voter roll, you name it. They have a whole list of all of the voters. They have the ballot papers here. As you can see, the polling staff is counting the ballot papers. There should be a certain number of ballot papers in the envelope.

[00:04:28]They have to make sure each of those papers are correct. And then uh before they will start distributing these ballot papers to the voters as the voters make their way in here at this particular polling station to start casting their vote. By the way, we are in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affair and they are also using it as a polling station. Across the the the country on several islands uh elections activities are already taking place. And any moment from now voters will start queuing up as the voting starts precisely at 8:00 here in Cabo Verde. And not the usual Liberian time. I guess we are 1 hour ahead uh of Cape Verde there in Liberia.

[00:05:07]And so it probably should be uh at around 8:00 a.m. already in Liberia. Uh but it's uh uh 6 minutes to 8:00 a.m.

[00:05:15]here in Cabo Verde or Cape Verde if you may. So what you're witnessing now is the process of the uh preparation of the ballot. That's the first very first ballot box just right ahead of you there. And you're seeing ECOWAS agents uh from the ECOWAS observer mission uh making their observation here.

[00:05:33]Uh just right ahead of us here if I go the other way. Uh just right ahead of us there, you are seeing the head of the uh ECOWAS uh observation mission here, the chief of mission. And he's talking to his staff. And they are having conversation on how the process is going so far. So, basically, the ECOWAS observer mission is only here to observe this entire electoral process, and right after the conduct of the elections today, they are expected to put out an official statement on their observation about the conduct of this legislative elections. So, we're coming to you live from Cape Verde, LN TV.

[00:06:08]We've joined the ECOWAS observation mission.

[00:06:11]On yesterday, we had a sit-down with Senator Snow, who led the Liberian delegation here. And of course, on this delegation, there are our election staff from the National Election Commission, there are civil society actors, there are media practitioners like us who are here to also observe this process. Cape Verde has an incredible democratic credential.

[00:06:33]They've conducted several successful elections in West Africa, and lots of West Africans are actually concerned and want to see a peaceful outcome and a successful conduct of this particular election. We spoke to Senator Snow yesterday, he mentioned that there's a lot that West Africa can learn from Cabo Verde or Cape Verde since they've had several successful democratic elections over the years. So, since the process continues, I'm going to go around with the camera as you continue to talk.

[00:07:04]Right. So, as Anthony has highlighted, this is the first box that they're preparing. This sets the stage for the rest of the boxes that you're going to see where people will be able to vote.

[00:07:15]And this is the counting process as they're making sure that everything is done accordingly in collaboration with what the ministries want, what the parliament wanted, what the people want to see. And you saw in the box that is absolutely empty.

[00:07:34]So, this is the entire process of what's going on here.

[00:07:38]And that to make it clear, this is the Foreign ministry of Cape Verde and this is where the people the very first place that our mission is here to observe and to absolutely see how the process go. Again, this sets the page for the rest of the different police stations around the country today.

[00:08:01]And as Anthony highlighted the in their parliament there are about 72 persons and who gets to to say own the parliament.

[00:08:12]And that's exactly what we are saying.

[00:08:16]That's what we're seeing here this morning and to highlight very shortly you will see people coming in to cast their votes to vote for whom they want to lead them within the parliament of Cape Verde. So yes.

[00:08:35]Stay with us and watch the process.

[00:09:46]>> And that is the entire process at which Anthony is displaying to you at this moment. And we're here again in Praia, which is the capital of Cabo Verde, where polling stations are actively on the way on today's parliamentary elections.

[00:10:03]And that is the process of how they set the page for the rest of the polling station across several polling centers.

[00:10:12]You know, the process has remained calm so far. And as they are organizing it for the rest of the other polling station, we have officials of ECOWAS election observers mission here, that's the observation mission here, including the head of mission, um the head of political affairs, to say, Mr. Dr. Babatunde.

[00:10:33]And they have begun monitoring the very first process. Security presence uh remain visible, but of course controlled.

[00:10:48]And we see the camera is pointed to the head of mission as he takes note. And yes, everyone is making sure that is detailed and the process is done accordingly.

[00:10:59]And that is exactly what the ECOWAS mission observation is here to do, to make sure that this entire process is free, is fair, and is transparent.

[00:11:13]And it's transparent.

[00:11:20]So, >> So folks, uh if you look behind me, uh this is what the atmosphere looks like currently this morning here in Praia, uh the capital of Cabo Verde or Cape Verde, if you may. And we've just left uh the polling center, and in there we showed you how the process is ongoing. So basically, it's uh literally the same of uh sorry, the same uh very process that we go through uh in our electoral process in Liberia.

[00:12:23]Uh you The ballot boxes get to be displayed to everyone. Uh they get to make sure the ballot papers are intact.

[00:12:30]Uh when you walk in, you get to verify your name, you show your ID, and then you walk to the ballot box, they hand you the ballot paper, you walk to the ballot box, uh they check your name, you slip that you you know, check whoever you're voting for, and slip your ballot paper in the ballot box, and then you get to an area where you get verified or get inked uh to show that you have voted. So it's already 8:00 here in in in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, where we're following the ECOWAS observer mission uh to show you the process. And Constant, if you can just show the camera. Uh folks are just walking in one at a time uh to cast their votes this morning. So uh the process is not like uh there are long queues, there aren't any queues this morning. Uh the center is uh actually open, and everyone uh is walking in one at a time to cast their vote here this morning. So uh just from outside, if you look in the streets, it's relatively calm, of course, because today is Sunday. So you would expect that there's uh not a lot of activities ongoing. But probably uh they they've chosen Sunday to ensure that everyone can come to vote because not a lot of activities go on on Sunday. So, it's obvious everyone will have time to be able to come to the center to cast their vote. So, this is the legislative elections that's taking place for the Cape Verde Parliament. And of course, there are three leading political parties in this election and the voters are already making their way here to vote. So, the ECOWAS observer mission is moving from one center to the other just like it's done when we're having elections in our country. And as you can see, this convoy just right here are vehicles. Senator Snow is here amongst the officials of ECOWAS who are observing the process today. How are you, sir?

[00:14:09]Do you speak English? No, no. Oh, you don't speak English? Okay, thank you very much. But this is one of the voters here. He has just left. Thank you very much the center and it appears he has already cast his vote. Unfortunately, a lot of them a lot of the Cape Verdeans do not speak English. They speak Portuguese out here. A few of them do speak French and a few of them also do speak English. So, we're hoping to see if we can find one of the voters who do speak English for us to be able to hear from them. But keep watching LNN TV.

[00:14:37]We'll follow the ECOWAS delegation from one polling station to the other to show you how the process is done. Cape Verde has an a very incredible democratic credential on the West African continent. And just yesterday we spoke to Senator Snow and he was telling us that there's a lot that West African countries including Liberia can learn from Cape Verde as it relates to their electoral process. So, today we'll we'll show you the entire electoral process.

[00:15:03]Just here at this center alone, we don't see like huge security presence. We don't see folks queuing up like the way we have the the ropes, you know, we'll be lined up. You have marks along the road. You step here. You step there. You go this way. You go that way. We just see a one security officer at the entry with the door and you walk in, he slides the door, you go in there, you cast your vote, you walk out. So, this is what it looks like currently. But, in there, the ECOWAS observers are there. They're trying to make sure they can observe the very first polling station here and see how the process is going. They opened the ballot box to them, the ballot box was empty. They're counting the ballot papers just right before them to make sure the ballot papers are in tight and they're showing them the entire process.

[00:15:49]So, my colleague Constant Dorbor and I will be here in Cape Verde. We will follow the ECOWAS observer mission from one station to the other to show you the process. Keep watching LNTv.

[00:16:04]And Yes, Anthony, you are quite right.

[00:16:07]There's very little presence of police here.

[00:16:11]I'm sure it's because, as you said, the democratic process have been safe and much need for the presence of police, but we're looking forward to see how it goes today. Do they remain how they've been called or will there be a change?

[00:16:25]We will know what the process is as we get to talk to few of them. And they've already gathered in the street, Anthony.

[00:16:34]Some are I mean, Constant, they are just walking in one at a time coming to the station.

[00:16:41]As you can see, they're just making their way in here one at a time to cast their vote. I mean, probably because it's still early, we do not know what is going to be like in afternoon hours or evening hours. We do not know what the process is going to be like. In most cases, especially from our experience, very early in the morning, except probably for presidential elections in Liberia, but for elections like by-elections or you know, legislative elections, probably, in most cases, sorry, we don't get to see the polling station being packed first thing in the morning.

[00:17:12]And I think I think it's the same thing with here as well. So, so, it's usually free and open, and folks just walk in cast their vote. The earlier you come, the faster you cast your vote and walk out. But, so this morning at this station, it's literally the same. The station is open, two police officers at the entry. In fact, one at a time, and they just come in to cast their votes uh here at this polling station. So, if we come just right here at the entrance, we see the various inscriptions here.

[00:17:42]Uh a lot of it is in Portuguese, by the way. So, you've seen all of the details here. You have This is the area for identification. Just right in here, you'll come in here to carry out identification. By the way, this is the official emblem of the election.

[00:17:57]Elections legislatives, provided I pronounce that correct. Uh but, it's literally legislative elections 2026.

[00:18:04]So, um just right here, there are other additional details that have been placed here. The name of the center, the location. Uh it's actually in prayer, the 17th of May, of course. So, as you can see, uh the elections is taking place here.

[00:18:18]Uh another uh inscription here at the uh the polling station. So, we might also just slide in there. And okay, so as you can see, Constance, the door has a security lock.

[00:18:29]>> Right.

[00:18:30]>> And so, you have to come in based on access. The officers will have to grant you access, put in the password, and then let you in, and you go and cast your vote. So, we've been given access.

[00:18:40]Let's just make our way back over here.

[00:18:42]Well, we've reentered the first center, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as ECOWAS mission observation gets to observe the entire process, Anthony. So, this time around, center in here, we want to see if probably if a few voters can walk in here, we can see them casting their vote. Let's see how it works. Let's see how Cape Verdeans cast their vote. We're going to be in here for now, and see how it works as the process continues. But, as you can see from that end, you have the verification team there.

[00:19:14]Uh And And And the good thing about it, one thing I've also noticed, Constance, in Liberia, the ballot boxes are not made open.

[00:19:21]They are enclosed. You get to go into the booth to cast your vote yourself, because your vote is private, like we usually say it in Liberia. But here in Cape Verde, if I just zoom in a little bit, you're seeing the ballot box is opened. And you're seeing the the verification team there, the election staff. You go there to hand you your ballot paper. You check your ballot paper for whoever you want to vote for. You fold it and put it right in the ballot box, right before everyone. The entire process is extremely open. And I like how it looks like. Yeah, I think that's the distinction between we in Liberia, as you said, it is absolutely open. So, the voters can just walk in, get their their voting paper, get to vote whoever they want to vote for, and then it be put definitely right into the the box.

[00:20:08]But yes, Anthony, we're here with the ECOWAS mission observation, where ECOWAS is obviously here to observe this entire process as the people of Cape Verde get to vote today.

[00:20:20]And again, this is the first to put it, this is the first polling station that sets the pitch for the rest of the other. So, we're hopeful that, as Anthony stated, a voter can't come in.

[00:20:34]A voter can't come in. I see behind me just someone trying to come in, Anthony.

[00:20:40]So, they're waiting security access, and then they can come and cast their votes.

[00:20:59]And also, just to make it known, apart from the ECOWAS observer mission, there are several observers here from different parts of the country. Civil society groups are also here as you can see the two fellows ahead of us there are also from another observation mission, probably from a civil society group and they're also standing by taking note and observing the process while we have ECOWAS staff from the ECOWAS observers mission all standing by also witnessing the process here in Cape Verde, Praia the capital precisely. So the ECOWAS also has spread their uh observers across the entire country.

[00:21:37]They are in various parts of the the the country, several islands and they are also observing the mission.

[00:22:06]So basically they've also gotten a core I mean the ECOWAS also has a situation room situated here in Praia the capital where all of the data is being collected from the observers who have been spread across the country on a various islands.

[00:22:28]Is it well coordinated to say Anthony is well coordinated to say you have people calling directly from the situation room while all of the information is being given to those in the situation room. Why they're also collecting from every part of Cape Verde today. Again as Anthony highlighted we're in Praia which is the capital of Cabo Verde and the people are here coming out one by one to say and we see how the process go thus far.

[00:23:01]Hopefully we're able to speak to one person who speaks English, but I'm not sure that is much as possible because what they do speak here is Portuguese.

[00:23:11]But yes, we're here observing.

[00:23:13]And this is the process.

[00:23:30]And that's the director for political affairs at the ECOWAS mission observation.

[00:23:36]And he's Dr. Babatunde, who's also here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as there is an observation mission going on right now, which is the the essence of the presence of ECOWAS within the capital of of course Cabo Verde.

[00:23:58]Okay.

[00:24:00]Within the capital of Cabo Verde, which is where we are right now. And very shortly, we'll be able to transition to another place, which is the next route. Yeah, basically, Constance, what we're looking at now this morning is several Cape Verdians are already out waiting to be allowed in to start casting their first votes this morning here. So, basically, the observer or the observation team is in coordination with the situation room that ECOWAS has here in Praia. And that's where all of the data that will be collated today will be sent. And based on that data, the ECOWAS observer mission is expected to put out a statement on the conduct of the election. So, basically, that's what we're all looking forward to. But as you may know, on yesterday, the mission met with political actors, especially the heads of the political parties that are contending in this particular election.

[00:24:56]And they all signed resolution to keep this particular election peaceful, free and fair, of course. Though they they they've they've raised some concerns.

[00:25:05]Concerns that the ECOWAS observer mission has also taken into consideration and have discussed, you know, to look into.

[00:25:13]But at the same time, it's obvious that we all know and we've been mentioning that Cape Verde does have a very incredible democratic credentials. So everyone looks forward for a successful election here in Cape Verde as the process has already started this morning as you've seen from where we are. As ECOWAS observes, the question is, as you mentioned, Anthony, will they maintain their democratic stability? To see. But coming about 8:30, we will be transitioning to another another center, which is Tira, room number 425.

[00:25:49]That's pardon, yes, 25. And we'll get the detail of the next center. And you who are watching will also be informed.

[00:25:57]In case you're wondering how the process is like in Praia, especially the parliamentary elections, Anthony. Yes, so like I mentioned, there are other observers from other, you know, observer missions that are also here. Not just ECOWAS. Yeah, not just ECOWAS alone.

[00:26:13]Yes, so it's it's a collective effort to make sure that the combination of West African nations are participating in this entire process, Anthony.

[00:26:23]As observers. So they will now lift the lid on the ballot paper. And the chief of observe the chief of mission from ECOWAS just right here to observe the process.

[00:26:35]They're opening the ballot box now. It was sealed. So they will now lift the seal from on the ballot box.

[00:26:51]And obviously once she the seal, uh the process will obviously kick start.

[00:27:24]Hold on. One minute. The clarity.

[00:27:29]Go ahead. And now they are making declaration of the uh number of ballot papers uh that have been counted already. And you see him showing them to the observers. The ballot box uh the seal on the ballot box has also been lifted uh from the main ballot box.

[00:27:47]And interestingly, the ballot box is opened.

[00:28:04]What that's done making sure that this process is transparent and they are accountable to the election commission here in Cape Verde. So, what you saw just now is him displaying to all of us the amount of people have voted thus far, who have voted thus far.

[00:28:29]And yes, I think there is a specific number of people that supposed to come out here, Anthony. [clears throat] Yes, every polling station or voting center in our case like this room will be referred to as a voting precinct.

[00:28:43]And then the entire place will be called the polling center. So, yes, like it's done where we're from. Every polling center has a registered number of voters that should be able to turn out. It is by that number you get to determine how many persons voted and how many didn't vote.

[00:28:58]Well, you heard that.

[00:29:00]Um So, I think they themselves get to follow now. No, the Cape Verde like I said has the diaspora also participating in the elections and the diaspora voters get to mail their ballot papers to the you know the country and and then the voting staff get to unbox that particular ballot, you know, as you're seeing from here and they'll call the name out loud from the the the voter roll and they will tear out the envelope and place your ballot into the ballot box. So, basically that's what's happening currently. I think that's what's unique to them that as the senator mentioned yesterday that Liberia too can incorporate because generally our people in the diaspora contribute immensely to the economy. So, if that is possible, hopefully that can be done as well.

[00:30:08]Obviously and I like how the process is being done. From what I'm looking at constant you're seeing the hand of the lady that's an envelope and it obviously from what it looks like within that envelope the person who's voting from outside have mailed or sent their their you know their ballot already and they have two documents within the envelope to ascertain that you're a citizen you you know you've cast your vote already and you forwarded it to Cabo Verde. So, the officer there the agent there or the police staff there will openly announce your name and they will not open the ballot itself just the envelope, remove the ballot paper from the envelope, call your name out loud, show the ballot to the public, and place it in the ballot box. Once they're done with all the diaspora ballot votes, then they start allowing the public in to start coming to cast their vote. The good thing about it is it's all being done in the open.

[00:30:59]The ballot box is opened right before observers as the process continues. So, some of the voters in the diaspora in Americas and I like that they call it the names of those just as Anthony mentioned, just the names of those who voted. So, if you were in a diaspora and you voted for this election, your name is would just going to be highlighted, not you know, all of the details are followed but that's just for transparency's sake cuz I think that's the only way they can tell that this person or this individual voted.

[00:31:33]So, it appears they're done now with the diaspora votes.

[00:31:37]Uh they probably didn't have a huge number of persons voting at this particular precinct or polling station from the diaspora. We've seen them counting or putting up to like three ballot papers into the ballot box and tearing three delivery envelopes. So, obviously, it appears it's now time to allow the public now to come in and start casting their votes.

[00:32:00]All right, as the public prepares to come in, you've seen the first process the first process of the voted which is Okay, so, they first of all allowed the diaspora votes because then you will see everyone can see and know exactly who from the diaspora voted. We did not get it exactly what he was saying but as he displayed >> And so, constant, they're now allowing uh the public to come in as you can see.

[00:32:26]We're seeing the first two persons making their way in. They're behind each other, so they'll do it one at a time.

[00:32:34]Show their details and going to submit his ID, probably his voting card, which he has already done.

[00:32:40]The agent will uh access >> Access it.

[00:32:44]Good thing is, once you present your card, he will call out your name loud, and they will look for your name on the voter roll for a check mark to your name, hand you your ballot paper, and you cast your vote right before everyone. This is the same process within Liberia, Anthony.

[00:32:59]So, it goes on. Now, Constant, interestingly, once the name is called out loud, there are two separate persons who also do have the voter roll in their hand, and when the name is called out loud and this person the next person finds their name, the person will also call their name out loud. The next person will also call their name out loud. And then, they would then hand you your ballot paper for the process to continue from what it looks like.

[00:33:21]They're still verifying the card, but this is the third time they've called out name.

[00:33:36]So, they have a list of all the polling stations here, or just particularly this one, and they're going to look through it, Anthony?

[00:33:45]It's just basically the same way ours is done. Where you register is where your name will be reflected. You can't vote You can't vote >> outside find of where you registered.

[00:33:57]>> [laughter] >> Now, if you notice, they're looking at his hands to make sure he did not vote anywhere.

[00:34:04]So, now, he's going in there in the isolated area >> Mhm. to uh cast his you know, check his ballot paper, uh determine who the the candidate is that he wants to vote, and then, he will walk right here to the ballot box right before everyone, and place the ballot paper in the ballot box. So, it's literally the same, except that your back is faced to the observers and the uh the polling staff, and they will look at you as you do that but not from it obviously from a distance and you alone in there and ours is enclosed.

[00:34:39]Nobody gets to see you doing it but theirs is vivid. They get to see you doing it but not necessarily what you've checked.

[00:34:59]So folks, that was it. He has just casted his vote. That was the first uh, citizen coming out casting his vote. We see the next person there and then uh, let's see the way constant. So interestingly Sorry sir, we want to use we want to stand here.

[00:35:15]So interestingly Anthony, it said that these are the the two major political parties observers who are here making sure that if your name is called out it's also called within the center. So you have the two major political parties observers coming here. So yes, how it's being done now when the person appears there and their name is called, their name will be called out loud and then the observers will also look on the voter roll to verify your name. Also they themselves have to see your name reflected on the voter roll before they can What is the UCID Anthony?

[00:35:50]>> So now we have the second person making their way there to cast their vote after all the diaspora votes have been counted.

[00:35:58]Same case with the diaspora votes.

[00:36:00]Your name gets called, the observers look on the voter roll and give a green light yes their name is on the voter roll and then you go in the area to cast your vote. So that's the next person there going to cast his vote. There you have it. He has placed his ballot paper in the ballot box already.

[00:36:15]Well, okay now. So folks, let's go how you do a little summary constant.

[00:36:21]Yes now.

[00:36:23]Okay, so we are moving now on to the next polling station where they also get to check the process of exactly how it's like here in Praia.

[00:36:35]We just got done.

[00:36:37]So here in Praia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we just got done with the entire process and the people now are walking into vote. You saw the diaspora vote votes being counted as well. The people The observers of the two major political parties are also here to observe. Once your name is called, they get to see exactly if your name is within that particular polling center. So again, this is the very first center that ECOWAS mission has observed.

[00:37:03]We're going now to the next center to see exactly how it's like. Stay with us Stay with us for more detail following this election.

[00:37:39]Still calm.

[00:37:41]There's no sign of panic.

[00:37:51]Okay, guys. We are back here where we were We came here previously to make sure all the information is shared.

[00:38:00]However, the place is still calm, relatively calm, and people are here to vote. We're going to make sure to check it again to see exactly if it's much better than what it was previously. That is exactly what ECOWAS mission is back to make sure the information shared previously is not as it was before. So, they're here now, as you see, on my far right, they're back here to check the information that is absolutely correct.

[00:38:32]And yes, very shortly you will get the detail also they will be joining in the situation room as they call it.

[00:38:40]And they're yet to check whether or not cuz we were here previously, as I stated, we're here previously, and which is why we did not go live here because the information out here when we previously came was that people were not coming to vote because they were not getting what they were supposed to get. So, follow us as we check to see whether this is working and whether it is as it was before.

[00:39:07]Now, this is the hall.

[00:39:10]>> [laughter] >> This is where people are gathering. This is the voting precinct, voting station.

[00:39:19]And from what I see, people are coming and they are gathered here coming into the voting precinct one by one to vote as compared to when we previously came here.

[00:39:44]Who is the I'm just asking who is the president of the bureau? He is the chief of mission.

[00:39:54]How has it been this morning the voting department the turnout?

[00:40:06]It's so-so.

[00:40:08]Uh maybe after lunch people will uh will start coming more often. Okay.

[00:40:14]I should have told you from the beginning it we are from the ECOWAS mission, observer mission.

[00:40:19]Of ECOWAS.

[00:40:24]And I am the team leader.

[00:40:27]So, we are here just to observe how the voting goes.

[00:40:35]This morning, you started early. You started on time.

[00:40:42]So, we have we have started around 8:30.

[00:40:45]Okay.

[00:40:48]We had a little bit of the constraint regarding the the voters list. However, it was solved a few minutes after. Okay.

[00:41:02]So, um in terms of the total Do you see a lot of young people and women in particular?

[00:41:22]In terms of that, I would like to have the input of my uh fellow colleagues on the table.

[00:41:31]According to our analysis, we we we have seen more adults. Yeah. Uh in terms of the young people, we haven't seen much attendance as of yet.

[00:41:45]But, we hope that uh after lunch, they will start coming. Okay.

[00:41:50]Usually, the dynamic on this specific polling uh the voting station here, usually after lunch, we will have more attendance, especially from the young people.

[00:42:00]>> Okay. All right. But, continue as you Thank you very much. Thank you.

[00:42:05]Well, what we listened to just now just to make sure Okay.

[00:42:37]What we're doing now is moving to the next location to make sure that everything is all set up and you listen to the polling staff that not most of the young people are coming, but hopefully that during the afternoon time that they're going to be here to come and vote for their political contenders. So, we're here now. We're moving next to the next polling station as we previously checked to make sure that it's all good as before. So, let's go, Anthony.

[00:43:30]So, what we're doing now is moving to the next polling station to have the information share as per ECOWAS mission here to observe the electoral process and make sure that the condition condition for every person voting is conducive and every person is participating.

[00:43:48]So, we're checking again to the next polling station as we previously checked this morning, but it was not as compared it was not as conducive. So, going back they had couple of challenges. So, what we're doing now is going back to check whether it is whether there there a difference or it is still the same as what we're doing. So, members of the Equat mission mission members of the Equat mission Members of the Equat mission are now joining As members of the Equat mission for the electoral observations are now going back to the previous polling station in a different precincts there sure that those people who were not able to vote this morning because of some concerns are voting or to make sure that whatever they may be doing that is in check. So, going now to check that out.

[00:44:55]And if you're just joining, we're in Kibera. Today is the election of the parliament where there are two major, in fact, three political parties. Two major.

[00:45:09]One of which is Francisco and the current prime minister Ulisses.

[00:45:18]I have to get the full name of the other guy, but we're going to check now as we did this morning but it was unfortunate that that is not the case.

[00:45:32]So, follow us, you guys.

[00:45:42]If you're just joining the live, it's election day here in Kibera.

[00:45:47]And in fact, it's the parliamentary election here in Kibera where two political three political parties are contesting for the seats of the parliament.

[00:46:02]Two major um prime minister Ulisses and that's of Francisco.

[00:46:12]And what we see here again, it's still relatively calm.

[00:46:17]Beautiful city it is as we drive through the city of Praia going back to the polling station.

[00:46:27]The people are calm. I have to say that people are calm and they're gathered.

[00:46:34]We listen to one of the polling staff and they highlighted that not much of the young people are turning out but hope they're all hopeful that that happens after us this afternoon but we At the previous polling station saw a 94-year-old man. That's enough, it's a motivation all by itself. A 94-year-old man coming to vote. The details are going to be shared with you. A 94-year-old man. In fact, if you're a young person here in Cape Verde, that is a motivation to you that you should also come out and vote.

[00:47:12]So, let's see if it's like that as well to the next polling polling station.

[00:47:28]We can almost see that So, Constance, I mean, you're seeing what the streets of Praia looks like currently.

[00:47:38]Earlier this morning when we came, it was a little calmer than what it is now.

[00:47:43]Probably that was why some of the polling stations we visited, there weren't much activities taking place. In fact, the one that we just left, like you've been mentioning, we were there earlier and the voting materials had not arrived at the time at around 7:30 7:45 like that. And but now activities are already ongoing as you can see in the streets you're seeing the billboards, campaign flyers. Some of them are still mounted in the streets as the election activities are already ongoing.

[00:48:14]For Liberia and you know usually once it's after campaign you get to remove all campaign flyers and other electioneering materials. But again election activities are different in other parts of the world. As you're seeing along the wall here, you're seeing flyers, you know, of candidates all still mounted on, you know, the wall.

[00:48:36]Ulysses has his. Francisco Cavallo still has his. There's one of it there on the light poles. Some there all on the zinc and then they have the giant size billboards behind us there.

[00:48:48]But we're headed now to the next polling station. We were at that polling station this morning. And the activities there did not start. We were told the uh uh they got the wrong voter roll at the time. So they're going to get them the actual one in due time. So the ECOWAS observation mission is headed out there now to ascertain whether the actual voter roll has has returned. So basically that's what's happening. So um apart from that Constance we've also visited you you and I have visited several locations around prayer not precisely in the heart of the city. We visited some kindergarten schools that have been used uh far on the outskirts of the city for this particular process.

[00:49:34]Uh and now we are back in central prayer to see the other polling stations that are here that did not have voting activities ongoing when we visited them first thing this morning. But as it relates to what the city looks like currently activities are ongoing. I know today is Sunday but yes, cars are moving back and forth, normal activities actually ongoing. And at the same time, most of the polling stations do not appear to be packed.

[00:50:02]Probably that's the culture of Cabo Verde. You and I were reading earlier, you were telling me in most cases they have a culture of folks not turning out a lot in most elections and and you name it.

[00:50:14]But in this case, this particular legislative election is quite crucial.

[00:50:17]It determines who becomes the next prime minister, uh you know, and we also got complaints earlier at some of the stations, polling stations from some of the political party observers, you know.

[00:50:30]These things usually happen in happen in elections. You receive people raising qualms while the elections activities are ongoing. But again, the ECOWAS observation mission is still here.

[00:50:40]Like you mentioned, they have their situation room and obviously by the end of voting day they are expecting to put out a preliminary statement as it relates to the conduct of the election. So we were here at this Escola Fazedu school and we're coming right back here. This is the place where we came and we were told that the folks got the wrong voting voter roll and they're going to change it. So we're back now. We're about to go in there into the voting precinct for us to see whether voting has started already. It appears obviously from what it looks like they probably might have started voting.

[00:51:17]I see one of the Cape Verdeans making his way out. So let's go out there and see if we can show you what the process looks like.

[00:51:30]So folks, thank you and welcome. My colleague Constance Zurota just left another voting or polling station precisely. She went into the precinct and you heard the ECOWAS election observer mission head asking questions as to what the process is like. He was asking about allowing disabled people to vote. Uh what are young people are participating? Uh he was asking those basic questions. What are some of the hurdles that are in the way as it relates to the voting process?

[00:51:56]Also this morning concerning interestingly, uh we also had the opportunity to see one of the oldest Cape Verdians uh voting since the country gained independence. He's currently 94 uh years old uh and he Sorry?

[00:52:11]Yeah, Pedro of course uh uh uh voted this morning. He was one of those Cape Verdians who was amongst uh uh the first Cape Verdian to lift the flag of Cape Verd uh during their independence. And he was held up both by his two hands. Uh he was walked to the ballot box and he casted his vote earlier this morning. Of course he explained how happy he was to witness this uh a democratic process. So we're now seeing the vehicles uh from the the ECOWAS observation mission pulling up.

[00:52:40]And the head of mission uh along with the representative uh of heading the Liberian delegation that's uh honorable uh Edwin Melvin Snow of Bonnie County.

[00:52:50]And then just right ahead of 5:00 a.m.

[00:52:52]of you here is the uh head of the ECOWAS observer mission himself uh honorable uh Yes, thank you. So we're now seeing also the uh more of the uh ECOWAS observers making their way to the polling uh station. So let's make our way in there and uh see what will be some of the questions that will be asked. But basically these will be literally the same questions that were asked earlier in the previous uh polling or voting precincts. So let's make our way in there.

[00:53:33]The commodity must be able to be sold quickly.

[00:53:44]Maybe yeah.

[00:53:45]>> So, the problem was solved uh pretty quick. We started 9:00 and 19 minutes.

[00:53:56]We had some issues with the with the tablet as well.

[00:54:01]Uh because it we had some connection issues with the tablet as well.

[00:54:05]But they came and they solved it.

[00:54:21]Uh so, the turnout it's pretty good at this point.

[00:54:25]Uh because we have over 100 people who have come to vote. So, it's doing pretty good so far.

[00:54:36]The other issue is the young young people women in particular, those two groups, young people and women.

[00:54:49]Yes, we have a good adherence uh both from both sides from Yeah, from both.

[00:54:55]Women and young people.

[00:54:58]Yeah.

[00:55:20]I think the tickets I think they're over there.

[00:55:37]>> Okay.

[00:55:45]Okay.

[00:55:50]Do you think any after lunch more people would turn out?

[00:55:54]Is this for me? It's a question for me or for them?

[00:55:57]>> Yeah.

[00:55:57]For them.

[00:56:01]Yeah.

[00:56:02]If you were to ask them. This Monday. So You want to know the tendency the source young people especially Listen. normally deposit almost No, see deposit almost at the tendency more than normally.

[00:56:23]from young people usually Uh it's it's going it's going to continue with the same flow.

[00:56:29]Um we have we have some first voters, first time voters. Yes. And they when they come they just let us know that this is the first time that they're coming to vote. And we're expecting more young people to come in the afternoon as well. after all and everybody else. I'm asking whether the turnout would be better in the afternoon.

[00:56:51]See deposit almost normally deposit almost at the most people are having the key to participate.

[00:57:01]No, no, no. No, no. We are certain to receive it normally. For example, deposit after lunch could be like this.

[00:57:07]See deposit almost definitely the vote is having more tendency than the key in the part of the city.

[00:57:14]It's a provision.

[00:57:18]So we hope so. Uh uh because uh because we haven't seen uh like people in line. So people are coming.

[00:57:27]They come uh inside and they vote. So we haven't seen a line formed as of yet. So, we're hoping that in the afternoon it will be a little bit more people coming. Does he have questions for us?

[00:57:44]>> [clears throat] >> Really?

[00:57:46]Thank you.

[00:57:47]Very good. So, Okay, all the best. Thank you. Thank you for having us. It's a good time.

[00:58:02]So, folks, we just listened to the conversation between the voting staff and the head of the observation mission.

[00:58:11]And he was asking basic questions about So, uh folks, sorry about that, but we were just in there and you listened to some of the questions that were being asked by the mission head. And of course, uh according to the election staff was in there, the process is going smoothly. So, how did it go in there? I mean, we were here earlier this morning. We could not ask those questions and all of that. But how how did it say it's going in there?

[00:59:09]>> resolved. Not long after we left.

[00:59:11]>> Okay. And that he told us so far so good. They have over 400 voters. Yeah.

[00:59:15]And I asked whether they expect more people Mhm. after lunch. Okay.

[00:59:19]>> hopefully. You know, and that whether there were young people disabled, he said yes, both young people and disabled.

[00:59:26]>> Yes.

[00:59:26]>> people. Is this the case with the previous place we went? we Sure.

[00:59:36]voted Okay.

[00:59:48]Yes.

[01:00:01]Sure.

[01:00:05]Okay.

[01:00:06]Okay. Thank you very much.

[01:00:19]Thank you very much.

[01:00:42]Well, you heard that we're going to the next polling station to share the information with you as that is the case right now and you heard the head of mission was quite inspirational that the old man sent a message to the young people that indeed you have to come out and vote and there's a message to every young person within this country that if the older man as a matter of fact as what's his name Anthony highlighted Pedro came out to vote a 94-year-old man by the way Anthony that is something that every young person in this country have to look at and indeed come out. We listen to what was said in there that not much of the young people are coming out. It's hopeful that during the afternoon time that they're going to be here. But, we're moving down to the next polling station to make sure that what was previously, which was this morning, is not as it is now. So, Anthony, this is the case. Okay.

[01:01:44]So, that's it, folks. We'll now make our way to the next location.

[01:01:48]We don't know obviously uh we were there earlier at the uh justice center uh where also what I've noticed also, Constance, uh a lot of government uh facilities are being used uh for this particular process. So, for us, most cases in Liberia we would use like schools.

[01:02:06]Uh I've not seen a case where we would use like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[01:02:10]Uh you know, uh I don't know. I may be corrected if I'm wrong about that. Uh or the Justice Ministry. But, we've seen, you know, very uh important government uh infrastructure agencies being used.

[01:02:22]We had the Foreign, you know, uh Ministry uh provided. Uh and then the Justice Building. And also went to the Ministry of Education. There was a space provided there also for the electoral process. And then also in some gated communities, you know, uh they are taking uh polling stations there in some gated communities. And then you also did listen to the mission head that uh people are also being given the opportunity to vote on behalf of people uh and they are bringing um attestation to prove that they are voting on behalf of their family members who are probably not available uh probably for medical reasons. And you may name it. I mean, these are these these are things that we can pick up from uh you know, the democracy. Uh other African states can pick up from the electoral process of uh Cape Verde.

[01:03:10]See, if you might want to infuse that into your own uh you know, voting or electoral from whatever part of Africa you're from.

[01:03:17]But, we like to thank all of you for watching, all of you for following.

[01:03:21]As just on yesterday, we had an exclusive with Senator Snow.

[01:03:27]That's a pre-election kind of conversation to tell us what the mission is looking forward to.

[01:03:32]We'll talk to him also from here once we arrive to where we're heading to hear from him on what he's observing so far with the Liberian delegation. But, basically all of the staffs that have come from Liberia to be here at this election, they've all gone they've been dispatched to their various locations.

[01:03:50]So, So, let's let's continue. Let's see where we're headed next. I'm probably back at the command center where the team is. There's also the situation room.

[01:04:02]It's somewhere in Praia here in Cape in Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, if you may.

[01:04:06]And but, yes Constance, this is Cape Verde streets of Cape Verde. I mean, very beautiful, of course. We still see election designs in the street. Campaign flyers, you're seeing the vote symbol.

[01:04:17]It says vota, v o t a. And one of the Cape Verdeans were telling us That is is a Creole form of saying vote, more like the pigeon or the colloquial form of saying vote, if I may put it that way. So, if you're saying vota, v o t a, it's literally like saying vote. But, according to them or according to one of the experts here in Portuguese, they should say vota.

[01:04:42]Vota. Vota instead. But, now it says vota. I think that's literally like sending a message across a campaign message, sending it in the most local language possible for the ordinary people to understand and you know, and be able to to participate in the electoral activities. But, as it stands, voting is ongoing. The turnout the turnout is is not as much as encouraging in some places, according to those Uh, staff officers who are in there. but they've guaranteed the observer mission that, probably by, you know, after lunch hours, uh, they will come to the various polling stations to vote.

[01:05:22]Now, in most cases, we also do observe some of these situations in Liberia, where we're from. Sometimes, people don't want to go early. Sometimes, people want the polling stations to get, probably, uh, not too, you know, full with people.

[01:05:34]Probably, wait until it's empty, and then we can make our way there.

[01:05:39]But, as you drive on, you can have a glimpse of beautiful Cape Verde for yourself. Uh, this island country is exceptionally beautiful.

[01:05:46]Uh, I mean, beautiful structures, streets all well paved. Uh, this is a port just right ahead of us there, and then the ocean comes in into the city.

[01:05:55]They create bridges, and the sea goes under the streets. They also use the ocean for, um, you know, irrigation. So, transportation, of course, also. Uh, we're seeing boats. And, uh, just right ahead of us, any moment from now, we'll be seeing the headquarters of the elections commission.

[01:06:12]Uh, this is it, just right here. This is the headquarters of the election commissions. I say commission nationale de election.

[01:06:18]Uh, provided I even got that right. Is that even Portuguese?

[01:06:22]Uh, since I do speak French, so kind of appears very familiar.

[01:06:27]And so, yes, we're probably heading back to the ECOWAS command center. But, while we drive on, we want you to have a glimpse of the city of for yourselves.

[01:06:36]Right. Yeah, and and enjoy, uh, the live video for yourselves.

[01:06:40]>> Anthony, what's admirable is that the the the road network is is quite beautiful, and you have the road from different parts of the country connecting. And And I think that's one thing that our own president is also looking out for, Anthony. So, uh, definitely, in terms of road connectivity, Liberia has been making lots of strides. And, of course, we all know, uh, the efforts that have been made. We're talking about a country bringing in road construction materials.

[01:07:05]We just saw the import of brand new, uh machines and you name it. So, any moment from now we'll be at the uh ECOWAS command center just right here at uh VIP Praia Hotel here in in in Praia, uh VIP Praia.

[01:07:19]And then uh the situation room also uh which the uh all of the observers that are assigned here in Praia and all the places across the the island uh will meet to coordinate all of the results from the observation mission that they've had and and then uh later this evening we are hoping or expecting uh that ECOWAS is expected to put out a preliminary uh a statement on their observation of the conduct of the election.

[01:07:44]Uh but so far so good. Uh that was uh the last center that we visited. We visited several of them. Some of them on the outskirts of Praia. And uh we are now back in central Praia obviously uh to um situation Yeah, sure. We're definitely at the situation room uh here at uh VIP Praia where we obviously will not go live by the way. Uh but wherever you've watched and followed us from my colleague Constance Jefta and I have been doing this. Uh Constance will do the outro as we exit the vehicle uh just right here.

[01:08:15]By the way Constance, this is the hotel where we are. Uh quite a beautiful and beautiful place just right by the ocean.

[01:08:21]You get to see you know the ocean view.

[01:08:23]Uh this is probably like a a five star hotel if you may uh just right here in in Cabo Verde or Cape Verde if you may. So, Constance you can probably just do the outro as we exit the vehicle and we can end it just right here.

[01:08:36]Well, this is it guys. Uh we've gone to the polling stations and the information is that it's much better as before when we first went there. We're currently at the VIP or VIP Praia where all of the observers will gather as they gather all of the information around the country as today is an election which is a parliamentary election of 72 individuals and we have here our own Senator Bomi County who's also a part of this mission making sure that the observation is done as well. Hopefully we can speak to him. Hopefully we can speak to him. How is it How is it going so far? And what are the differences and what exactly Liberia can learn from the process at this case. So let's speak to Honorable Snow. Honorable Snow, how are you? I'm okay. Listen, how are you? I'm good. You've been observing and previously that is earlier this morning we went to the polling station. It was not as compared to what it is now. What would you say is the difference? Well, a couple of factors. I think um as you know it's a parliamentary election so maybe people decided to come out a little late.

[01:09:52]Uh also as you know they they there's Christian it's a Christian dominance society so maybe people decided to go to church and then come from church. Uh so there are a lot of factors that come into people not turning up early to vote so but like you rightly said we went back and thanks to the head of mission who decided to go back to those hot spots that we saw this morning and it's much improved now. Also there was issue with the voter roll. Voter rolls were were wrong in two of the areas. They had to correct those areas and the voter turnout is much better than we saw this morning and we hope that by the end of day it will be much better. Senator, we had two very unique observations.

[01:10:27]Uh the aspect of the diaspora votes and then also there was a situation where folks are voting for uh family members and they have they have to show attestation. Let's talk about about this and for me I think it's unique and I have not seen it in our election process. What do you make of this? Now first thing you need to do is that know be sure of is that the judicial system has to be strong. So people have to go get attestation from the court to make sure that you can designate someone to vote for you and that person has your full authority uh power of attorney to go and take that decision on your behalf. I will saw of the continent or the region, I'm not sure we are ready for that yet because even sometimes during voting people with artificial impaired they sometimes take people in the booth to vote for them and people raise concern that whoever is taking them accompanying them may take the make the wrong decision for them. So we're not ready for that yet. We cannot be 100% like others. I think our system is equally unique. But again we we I think it's a very good system. It has to do with trust. It has to do with a good addition system and I think we are a little bit far from there. Okay, so you're going to the situation room now for all the observers together. What now? So what we do in the situation room is that we have observers in all of the regions in Cape Verde. We have long-term observers. We have short-term observers and information into our database. So we're going to go in the situation room to know what are some of the stickier issues in those areas. The photo turnout or the security situation, the opening of polls, the conduct of the polls, the access accessibility for disabled people, you know, all the different issues on the field. We're going to be fighting it up at the situation room.

[01:12:08]That's what we're going to We also do have Liberian election observers here apart from you on this mission. Lots of them have been dispatched out there at various locations. How are they doing?

[01:12:19]Well, before I go to the Liberian observer, let me talk about you both of you. So we've been inviting all the journalists and even one of our tête-à-tête with the director of political affairs and the electoral assistant head were talking about what you're doing because I'm sharing your page and I was showing it to them and I think you guys are doing a great job. I must admit I'm very proud of our Liberian team that's covering the election even from the vehicle. We are watching you, you know, shooting from the vehicle. You are granting interviews. You are on top of the ballot. Even the areas we have problems today you were there. You were focusing there. You were you were giving a live screen and we are extremely proud of that. We also feed that into the ECOWAS uh system, so other people in the community are also watching it. And uh the ratings that we are sharing, and you know, maybe I shouldn't have said this, but we're sharing with you is uh sharing of you is that you're doing extremely good job. Regarding the other Liberians, when we go to the situation room, we're going to be hearing from them. I mean, yes, I've spoken to one or two of them personally, but at the situation room, we get to know every everyone who has a tablet feeds into the situation room, and we get all the tablets that the number, we know who is assigned to which tablet, and we get to know the feedback from the situation room. But again, I want to say thanks to LBS. I think uh the team that sent that you all management sent here are doing extremely well, and I must give you your flowers.

[01:13:32]You're doing a good job. Thank you, sir.

[01:13:34]>> Okay. Just for the compliments, it's not over yet. We are waiting for uh we are over hearing there might be a preliminary statement about the conduct of the the elections. Uh there's more coming up, and we we can't wait to hear from you and the rest of the team, sir.

[01:13:47]Well, we do that all the time. So, what we're going to do to a certain So, by Tuesday, we're going to do a what we call preliminary declaration. So, tomorrow, we're going to have another meeting with head of delegation head of mission meeting with the EU and other international observers that are here, and then we decide on the date and time that we do the preliminary declaration.

[01:14:03]But definitely, it will be done on Tuesday, and that declaration we want to be talking about the conduct of the election, how how it was organized, and the turnout, and everything about the election. And then, we leave for the electoral commission to make give the final announcement of the result of the elections. Thank you, Senator. It's always a pleasure.

[01:14:19]Well, that's it. You've gotten all of the information. Tuesday is the time for the preliminary conversation as for what has been done so far with the ECOWAS observers mission here in Kephart.

[01:14:32]We will be back. Stay with us.

[01:14:34]Hopefully, today, if not, then Tuesday, we share all of the information with you who are online. Thanks to all of you for watching. Do make sure to share the information with someone who has not turned on yet. Goodbye.

[01:15:18]Well, that's the counting of the votes here, making sure that all of the ballot box the ballot paper are counted fully as they've counted it.

[01:15:29]And the total number is 2028.

[01:15:32]And yes.

[01:15:38]So, you're now witnessing the vote counting and final tally in the election process here in Cape Verde.

[01:15:45]And we're just seeing the ballots are being shown now to the audience.

[01:15:51]The parties being called.

[01:16:14]As they call the name of the uh party, the ballot paper get displayed.

[01:16:20]Yeah.

[01:16:21]The two contenders on both ends of the table at this particular center the ballots being pronounced.

[01:16:36]>> [clears throat] >> Observers on the side taking notes.

[01:16:45]And out just the third container for a first ballot.

[01:16:50]Another ballot here for MPD.

[01:17:49]MPD The first as they name of party is being called. The ballot is also being displayed to everyone including the observers here.

[01:18:14]Also see there equals observers are seated watching the process at the same time. That's the head of the equals observers mission right there.

[01:18:35]>> empty empty empty empty empty empty empty empty empty empty And of course as the process continues the equal sublevels on standby and watching making sure that this process is as transparent as possible.

[01:19:56]Amongst them is Ladi Adios Senator [clears throat] Edwin Snow of Bonnie County watches from the stands.

[01:20:25]And most of the ballots are already counted for political parties already.

[01:20:33]Several of them, but of course four of them being recognized here amongst the vote.

[01:20:40]And I understand our folks in the comment section are concerned about the importance of this particular elections. But if I may, uh there's now an invalid vote uh that is being displayed just the first invalid vote so far since the counting process started.

[01:20:55]The first invalid vote has been placed on the table.

[01:20:57]By the way, uh this election is crucial because come to think of it uh Cape Verde is an ECOWAS nation. Since a member of the uh Economic Community of West African States, and uh as usual elections concerning ECOWAS countries are always observed by the ECOWAS observer mission. And ECOWAS observer mission usually takes place across West African countries including Liberia. And so um And what one one very important reason also is that the election process [clears throat] here in Cape Verde, in fact Cape Verde alone itself has uh very invaluable uh what has been described by uh some of the ECOWAS observers here as a country with very uh credible uh electoral credentials uh democratic credentials. And ECOWAS is more concerned about making sure that uh ECOWAS continent countries can follow up on the electoral process of Cape Verde.

[01:21:47]And not only Cape Verde alone, but other ECOWAS countries. Of course ECOWAS does follow Liberia elections. Of course there are always observers during uh elections in Liberia. Same case here. As you see ECOWAS observers here at this particular election process here in Cape Verde. I see that right there. It's the head of the observer mission watching the process himself.

[01:22:24]And the observers will go closer. They are clearly political party observer, as you can see, working up to make sure that that particular ballot is being considered invalid is actually is.

[01:22:35]Anything in?

[01:22:43]50 no Anything in?

[01:23:04]Can I see anything?

[01:23:13]Can I see anything?

[01:23:20]Anything in?

[01:23:28]Can I see anything?

[01:23:33]By the way, uh this is a parliamentary elections here in Kiper.

[01:23:40]And this election is crucial because it determines uh who's the uh who have more members in parliament in the country's uh parliament.

[01:23:49]And of course, as you may know the more parliamentarians a certain political party have it mostly is that party determines.

[01:23:56]Uh the next prime minister is in the case of us probably will the next house people becomes.

[01:24:07]And a full ballot box, just one ballot box per 14% and it's not like in the case of Liberia where uh uh there could be several of them.

[01:24:19]But here in this case, a single ballot box placed in the middle of the room, and as you mark your ballot paper, you come and drop it in the ballot box and walk off.

[01:24:31]>> [clears throat] >> Uh to ensure the uh transparency of this process, there are quite a lot of observers standing by and making sure that uh this particular process is uh watched across the continent.

[01:25:29]Sorry.

[01:25:31]Really?

[01:25:34]Okay.