The campaign for the 7 August presidential election in Cape Verde will begin Thursday with the participation of four candidates to succeed President Pedro Pires, official sources in Praia, the capital, told PANA Wednesday. About 300,000 voters have been registered for the election, featuring presidential candidates Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, the official candidate of the ruling PAICV; Jorge Carlos Fonseca of the MpD (the main opposition party), and independent candidates Aristides Lima and Joaquim Monteiro.

Elections will be conducted in 900 polling stations in the archipelago and 300 others for the diaspora, made up of 35,300 registered voters (4,300 in Africa, 8,000 in America and 23,000 in Europe and the rest of the world).

During the next 16 days, the official campaign period, the four candidates will carry their campaign to the electorate in the archipelago and to the communities of the Cape Verdean diaspora, whose votes traditionally weigh heavily on the outcome of the country’s presidential elections.

According to observers in the Cape Verdean capital, the campaign, which ends 7 August, will be lively, especially since the ruling party appears to be divided, which could have implications on the stability of the government.

At the Parliament, the PAICV has very uncomfortable majority, which can be detrimental to the government of Prime Minister José Maria Neves, if 'dissident' members fail to support the executive.

According to the latest opinion polls, Lima, with 27%, is favoured to win. He is followed by Inocêncio (22%), Fonseca (21%) and Monteiro (1%).

If necessary, a run-off will be held 21 August.

Pana 21/07/2011