Cape Verde Heads to Presidential Run-Off

Posted August 8th, 2011 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
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The African island nation of Cape Verde is headed toward a presidential run-off vote after no candidate won a majority in the first-round election.

The country's election commission says opposition leader Jorge Carlos Fonseca led the field in Sunday's voting with 37.4 percent. The ruling party candidate, Manuel Inocencio Sousa, was second with 33.3 percent.

An independent candidate, Aristides Lima, was third with just under 26 percent.

The French news agency reports the run-off will take place August 21.

The winner will succeed President Pedro Pires, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

Cape Verde, located in the Atlantic off the coast of Mauritania, has enjoyed stability and steady economic growth despite chronic drought. Tourism, transport, and remittances from a large emigrant community form the backbone of the economy.