Cape Verde votes in election that could see first female prime minister

Cape Vedians headed to the polls to cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections.

On voters' minds will be the Covid pandemic which has devastated the tourism-dependent economy.

Six parties are running for election in a vote where the prime minister has executive power

Among them Incumbent Prime Minister Correia e Silva, who is bidding for a second term with his centre-right Movement for Democracy (MpD) party.

"We will not develop or finance programs to manage poverty. On the other hand, we will do everything we can for people to escape poverty thanks to jobs, production and income so that they can be independent and autonomous," Correia e Silva said

Making history?

Meanwhile, Janira Hopffer Almada is hoping to make history as the first female head of government with her socialist PAICV party.

"I think that Cape Verdeans have a very clear notion that, more important than being a woman or a man, is having someone with the will to work to improve the country," Almada said.

"I have always said that this fight is not a fight between men and women, it is a fight for Cape Verde, for love of Cape Verde, to build the land here that we all dream of."

Both candidates have campaigned on measures to provide wide access to vaccination and to diversify the economy away from tourism.

Tourists, drawn to Cape Verde's gentle hospitality, year-round warmth and turquoise seas, account for a full quarter of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

After growth of 4.5 percent in 2018 and 5.7 percent in 2019, the former Portuguese colony suffered a record slump last year -- a retraction of 14.8 percent.

The West African Island nation is a bastion of stability.

After a campaign marked by festive rallies, where candidates danced to music ---- the outcome Sunday is more than likely to be accepted serenely.

Provisional results are expected overnight on Sunday.