São Tomé and Príncipe's presidential election is due by 2026, and the exact day has not been announced in the sources we follow. This page sets out what the vote decides, who runs it, how the last one went and who holds office today.
What is being decided
- The head of state. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova has been head of state since 2 Oct 2021.
Note from the source: Africa Elects indicates a first round around July 2026; the official CNE date was not captured at retrieval; confirm whether the poll was held and capture official results.
Who runs the election
The vote is run by Comissão Nacional Eleitoral (CNE).
The last result
The last national election in our sources was held on 19 Jul 2026.
National elections in our São Tomé and Príncipe file
| Date | Election | Status | Winner | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Due by 2026 | Presidential election | due | - | - |
| Due by 2026 | Parliamentary election | due | - | - |
Who holds office now
| Office | Holder | In office since | How chosen | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head of state | Carlos Manuel Vila Nova | 2 Oct 2021 | - | - |
| Head of government | Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos | 14 Jan 2025 | - | - |
See the full São Tomé and Príncipe government directory and the Africa election calendar.
Other national elections coming up
| Country | Election | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | Presidential election | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Gambia | Presidential election | 5 Dec 2026 |
| South Sudan | General election | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Nigeria | General election | 16 Jan 2027 |
| Gambia | Parliamentary election | 10 Apr 2027 |
| Kenya | General election | 10 Aug 2027 |
Polling and research around the vote
PollsAfrica designs and runs opinion polls and household surveys across Africa, with the sample, dates, mode and weighting published for every release. If you need research in São Tomé and Príncipe before or after this vote, see our research services or contact us.
Source: Comissão Nacional Eleitoral (CNE), 2026; CIA World Factbook, 2026; CIA World Leaders (not yet checked against an official page), 2026; Government of São Tomé and Príncipe (official portal), 2026. Method: how we compile this.