Voters in São Tomé and Príncipe head to the polls on Sunday for a presidential election, as one of Africa’s smallest nations aims to reinforce its record as a stable democracy.

The National Election Commission reports that roughly 142,000 citizens are registered to cast ballots in the island state, with about 15% of eligible voters residing abroad.

Since achieving independence from Portugal in 1975, the country, located off the western coast of Africa, has earned recognition for holding calm and competitive elections. However, this year’s contest unfolds against a backdrop of political strain and an unresolved constitutional dispute.

President Carlos Vila Nova is seeking a second term, this time running as an independent candidate rather than representing the ruling Acção Democrática Independente (ADI), the party under whose banner he secured victory in 2021.

Friction between Vila Nova and ADI escalated in January last year when he removed Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada from office. Trovoada’s successor, former justice minister Ilza Amado Vaz, stepped down after only three days in the role, paving the way for the current prime minister, Américo Ramos.

In Sunday’s vote, Vila Nova faces four challengers, including ADI’s parliamentary leader, Nito D’Abreu. Former prime minister Jorge Bom Jesus sought to withdraw his independent candidacy but failed to meet the required deadline, meaning his name will still appear on the ballot.

The main opposition force, the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe, has joined a broad alliance supporting the sitting president, despite its long-standing rivalry with ADI. At the same time, a faction within ADI aligned with Ramos has thrown its support behind D’Abreu. Should no contender secure more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held.

Businessman Domingos Monteiro, widely known as “Nino” and head of the São Toméan Football Federation since 2015, was barred from running after the constitutional court determined he did not satisfy eligibility criteria. Although Monteiro was born in São Tomé, his parents never obtained citizenship after relocating from Cape Verde, where they were born.

“The constitutional court is breaching the principle of equal rights… Descendants born in São Tomé and Príncipe must reject discrimination, xenophobia, and persecution,” Monteiro said in response to the ruling.

Key concerns for voters include combating corruption, curbing rising inflation, addressing widespread youth unemployment, easing persistent fuel shortages, and reducing recurring power outages. Opponents of Vila Nova hope public frustration over these issues will prevent him from winning another term and open the path to new leadership.

At a presidential debate on Tuesday, D’Abreu described corruption as “the greatest disaster the country has faced in these fifty years of independence.”

São Tomé and Príncipe is regarded as a dependable Western partner in matters of security and maritime trade in the Gulf of Guinea, a region frequently affected by piracy. The nation also possesses offshore oil reserves that play an important role in its economy. Election observer teams from the European Union, G7+ group, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries are present to oversee the voting process.