“Go out and vote. Our only weapon in democracy is the vote, our only weapon of choice is the vote, and therefore, people must vote. If we want to maintain a living democracy, we have to vote and make choices, even when those choices are disruptive,” said André Ventura to journalists after voting at the Parque das Nações Primary School in Lisbon.
The leader of Chega reported receiving information from “people near voting areas” indicating an increase in voter turnout and hopes that by the end of the voting day, abstention rates will be lower than in previous years.
Ventura believes that voters are now “more informed” than before, especially the younger and older generations, due to new platforms for “gathering information,” which could contribute to a decrease in abstention rates.
“I might contradict myself by the end of the day, but I think we will see less abstention in these elections, and that is a very, very positive sign for democracy, and I sincerely hope everyone exercises their right to vote today,” he emphasized.
When asked if the municipal campaign was compelling enough to reduce abstention, Ventura noted that it was a “tough, different campaign,” aligning with trends in other European countries, but was “clarifying” and had “much more debate than usual.”
André Ventura also stated that “it’s no use criticizing all year” if on election day “we leave the decision to others,” underscoring the importance of voting even in places where it is believed that “the same always win” or where people think “political power did not respond adequately.”
In response to queries about his plans for the afternoon, the Chega leader mentioned he would “analyze the election day’s progress” before attending mass at the Church of São Nicolau in Lisbon later in the day.
The night will be spent at the party’s “headquarters” for the evening, where Ventura hopes to leave to head to the first municipality where a Chega victory is confirmed.
“It’s a modest plan, but election days should also be experienced this way, with great humility waiting for people’s votes and, of course, acceptance, whatever the result the Portuguese give us, but, obviously, with some anxiety and expectation,” he concluded.
More than 9.3 million voters are eligible to participate in these municipal elections, according to census data provided by the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI).
Of the 9,303,840 registered voters, 9,262,722 are nationals, and the remaining 18,319 are foreign EU voters, and 22,799 are non-EU foreigners, both groups registered in the national territory.
Voters will be choosing the governing bodies of 308 Municipal Chambers, 308 Municipal Assemblies, and 3,221 Parish Assemblies, with three ballots available.
