São Tomé and Príncipe elects on the national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature.
The president is elected for a five-year term by the people.
The National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional) has 55 members, elected for a four-year term in seven multi-member constituencies by proportional representation.
As no presidential candidate received a majority of the vote, a second round was originally scheduled to be held on 8 August 2021.
The second round was won by Carlos Vila Nova of Independent Democratic Action, who received 58% of the vote, defeating Guilherme Posser da Costa of the MLSTP/PSD.