Guinea-Bissau legislative election, 2004
Encyclopedia
A legislative election was held in Guinea-Bissau
on March 28, 2004. The election had been repeatedly postponed due to political and financial chaos in the country, and due to the coup d'état which overthrew President Kumba Ialá
in September 2003.
The former ruling party, the African Party of Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), won the largest number of seats (45) but did not win a majority. Former President Yala's party, the Party for Social Renovation (PRS), came second with 35 seats. The PAIGC reached an agreement with the PRS for its legislative support (a previous attempt at reaching a deal with the United Social Democratic Party
, which won 17 seats, failed), and in May the new parliament was sworn in, with PAIGC leader Carlos Gomes Júnior
becoming prime minister.
Although voting reportedly took place on time in the interior of Guinea-Bissau, it was delayed in much of Bissau
, the capital, as electoral materials were delivered late to many polling stations. The National Electoral Commission ordered the polling stations that opened late to remain open past the scheduled end of voting to ensure that everyone would have a chance to vote. About a third of polling stations in Bissau reportedly never opened on the day of the election, and these stations were ordered to open on the following day, March 29.
Over 100 international observers were present for the election. The United Nations
, the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and La Francophonie
sent observers, as did Portugal
, Russia
and the United States
.
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
on March 28, 2004. The election had been repeatedly postponed due to political and financial chaos in the country, and due to the coup d'état which overthrew President Kumba Ialá
Kumba Ialá
Kumba Ialá, also spelled Yalá , is a Guinea-Bissau politician who was President of Guinea-Bissau from 17 February 2000 until he was deposed in a military coup on 14 September 2003. He belongs to the Balanta ethnic group and is the President of the Social Renewal Party...
in September 2003.
The former ruling party, the African Party of Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), won the largest number of seats (45) but did not win a majority. Former President Yala's party, the Party for Social Renovation (PRS), came second with 35 seats. The PAIGC reached an agreement with the PRS for its legislative support (a previous attempt at reaching a deal with the United Social Democratic Party
United Social Democratic Party
The United Social Democratic Party is a centre-left social democratic political party in Guinea-Bissau.Former Prime Minister Francisco Fadul was elected as the President of the PUSD on 18 December 2002 at a party convention in Bissau....
, which won 17 seats, failed), and in May the new parliament was sworn in, with PAIGC leader Carlos Gomes Júnior
Carlos Gomes Júnior
Carlos Domingos Gomes Júnior is the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau. He was previously Prime Minister from 10 May 2004 to 2 November 2005, and he was again appointed to that post on 25 December 2008...
becoming prime minister.
Although voting reportedly took place on time in the interior of Guinea-Bissau, it was delayed in much of Bissau
Bissau
Bissau is the capital city of Guinea-Bissau. The city's borders are conterminous with the Bissau Autonomous Sector. In 2007, the city had an estimated population of 407,424 according to the Instituto Nacional de Estatística e Censos...
, the capital, as electoral materials were delivered late to many polling stations. The National Electoral Commission ordered the polling stations that opened late to remain open past the scheduled end of voting to ensure that everyone would have a chance to vote. About a third of polling stations in Bissau reportedly never opened on the day of the election, and these stations were ordered to open on the following day, March 29.
Over 100 international observers were present for the election. The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the Economic Community of West African States
Economic Community of West African States
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region....
(ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and La Francophonie
La Francophonie
Francophonie is an international organization of politics and governments with French as the mother or customary language, where a significant proportion of people are francophones , or where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture.Formally known as the Organisation...
sent observers, as did Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.