Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities: Cape Verde - www.electionaccess.org Text Only Version
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Cape Verde

General Right to Vote
Constitution:
(1982)
• Article 48, section (1) states, "Deputies shall be elected by constituencies by free, universal, equal, direct and secret balloting. All citizens 18 years of age and over shall be electors, except for those excluded by law."
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 113/IV/1994)
• Article 3, section (1) states, "All citizens have the right and the duty to register to vote, as well as to ensure that they are duly registered and, in cases of error or omission, to request corrections to their registration."
• Article 5 states, "Voter registration is mandatory for all citizens residing in the national territory."

Voter Assistance by Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 113/IV/1994)
• Article 18, section (4) states, "If a person is temporarily or permanently physically unable to proceed in the terms of the previous article [fill out a registration form], the voter registration commission accepts the form and notes this fact."
• Article 18, section (6) states, "If the form is not filled out by the person him/herself, the person who presents the form on that person's behalf must sign it as well, acknowledging that the facts presented are correct."
(Law No. 116/IV/1994)
• Article 67, section (1) states, "Blind voters and those affected by an obvious physical disability, who for that reason cannot perform the different voting functions themselves, may vote accompanied by a citizen of their choice, who is not a candidate, and who is bound to absolute secrecy (ie, protect the secrecy of the b/d person's vote)."
• Article 67, section (2) states, "When it is not possible to confirm the circumstances referring to the previous number, the voter will be asked to present a certificate prepared by the competent entity and duly notarized."
(Law No. 118/IV/1994)
• Article 59 states, "Blind people vote accompanied by a registered voter of their choice, who guarantees that he/she will express the blind person's choice and who is obligated to absolute secrecy."

Promotes Access
Electoral Law:
(Law No. 116/IV/1994)
• Article 36, section (2) states, "Polling stations must be sited in public buildings, preferably schools, or municipal buildings that provide sufficient space, security and access. If there is no adequate public building, a private building may be requisitioned for this purpose."
(Law No. 117/IV/1994)
• Article 125 states, "A person who accompanies a blind or disabled person to vote and deliberately expresses his/her will falsely shall be punished with two to eight years in prison."


 
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