More than 9.3 million voters are registered to vote in the elections to choose the presidents of 308 municipal chambers, as well as municipal and parish assemblies, for the next four years.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. (in the Azores, they close at 8:00 p.m. mainland and Madeira time), with voting proceeding normally without any issues reported by the National Election Commission (CNE) by the end of the morning.
Voter turnout in the municipal elections was 21.72% by noon, according to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI), a figure higher than recorded at the same hour in the 2021 elections.
Party Leaders Urge Voting
The leaders of the main political parties voted throughout the morning, with the Prime Minister and PSD president being the first to cast his vote shortly after 9:00 a.m. in Espinho, Aveiro district.
After voting, Luís Montenegro urged Portuguese citizens to vote on a “very important day for democracy” in municipal elections that will determine much of the “future, prosperity, and success of the country.”
In the north, in Porto, PS Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro also advocated for voter participation in the municipal elections, describing it as a “decisive moment for the country’s future,” adding that a “constructive campaign” will contribute to a good voter turnout.
In Lisbon, Chega president André Ventura expressed hope for a decrease in abstention in these municipal elections and advocated for voting, reminding that “making choices” is the only way to “maintain a democracy.”
Iniciativa Liberal leader Mariana Leitão also urged electoral participation, describing it as “a fundamental civic act for the proper functioning of democracy” where the “political power is closest to the people.”
After voting, Livre spokesperson Rui Tavares stated that “nobody should abstain” from participating in municipal elections, emphasizing that these are elections whose results have “very direct and practical” consequences on citizens’ daily lives.
Meanwhile, PCP Secretary-General Paulo Raimundo, who voted today at 9:40 a.m. in the municipality of Moita, Setúbal district, remarked that there are no reasons “for major waves of indecision in these elections.”
BE and CDS-PP Emphasize Waiting Time as Positive Sign
CDS-PP president Nuno Melo, who waited about half an hour to vote, viewed this as a “good sign” and expressed hope for low abstention rates in the municipal elections.
Similarly, Left Bloc coordinator Mariana Mortágua considered the waiting time in line to vote as a “good sign” and hopes it is replicated across the country.
PAN spokesperson Inês Sousa Real noted “the great turnout at the polls” in the municipal elections, but lamented that the ballots were not in Braille, calling for this issue to be addressed in a “future electoral act.”
In Madeira, JPP Secretary-General Élvio Sousa also encouraged voting in the municipal elections, stressing that “democracy is built every day” and expressed optimism for a good outcome for the party.
