VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0502 2131359
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011359Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9255
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0358
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0699
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 1311
RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0919
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0647
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0312
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0820

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000502 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TP
SUBJECT: STP INCUMBENT REELECTED IN MODEL ELECTIONS 
 
REF: LIBREVILLE 494 
 
¶1. On July 31, the National Electoral Committee (NEC) of Sao 
Tome and Principe announced provisional reports of the July 
30 presidential election.  Incumbent Fradique de Menezes won 
by a wide margin, with 60% of the vote, over Patrice 
Trovoada, who polled 38.6% of the vote.  About 1% of ballots 
were ruled invalid and less than half a percent of voters 
expressed support for a little-known third candidate. 
Overseas voters were among the 91,000 registered to vote; 
over 63% of all registered voters cast a ballot on July 30. 
 
¶2. The results of the election, if not the precise margin, 
were already evident the night of July 30, as results of each 
polling place were announced as they arrived at the NEC.  The 
losing candidates both made concession speeches the morning 
of July 31, without waiting for the final tabulation of 
results.  Trovoada congratulated Menezes and called on all 
parties to work together to promote stability and the good of 
the country. 
 
¶3. Ambassador and Emboffs participated in election 
observation.  They noted that election officials and party 
representatives carried out their duties effectively, 
benefiting from the experience of legislative elections just 
four months ago.  On July 31, election observers joined in a 
statement that found the elections fully consistent with 
international standards.  The observers congratulated the 
government of STP and the NEC for the conduct of elections 
and the transparency of results. 
 
¶4. Comment:  STP's democracy has been notable for its 
vibrancy, which has sometimes been accompanied by a 
significant degree of instability.  The clear results of this 
election should help the GoSTP (drawn from the coalition 
supporting the President) overcome the handicap of minority 
support in the National Assembly. 
WALKLEY