Voter turnout in the Swiss city of Lugano higher than in previous elections
Voter turnout in the Swiss city of Lugano for this year’s presidential election in Portugal is higher than in previous ballots, despite persistently high abstention rates, particularly in an election that requires in-person voting.
Portuguese in London travel hours to vote in person
Correio da Manhã/CMTV coverage finds unusually high motivation among emigrant voters this election, with TV crews following voting at Portuguese consulates and polling stations abroad. Higher turnout overseas could be consequential in a close race and may strain consular services on busy days. Those voting from abroad should check consulate arrangements and confirm their polling location and required ID well ahead of time.
Update: Reports from London show many Portuguese travelled up to around two hours to vote at the Consulate‑General, with voters complaining there is no remote voting option and describing long queues at peak times. Portuguese living abroad should confirm consular opening hours, travel arrangements and allow extra time if going in person.
Emigrant voting lets Portuguese citizens living abroad cast ballots in national elections, usually by mail or at consulates. With several hundred thousand registered overseas voters, their turnout and geographic distribution can be decisive in close presidential contests, so candidates often campaign to win votes in key emigrant communities.
A Consulate‑General (Consulado‑Geral) is Portugal’s main diplomatic office in a major foreign city that provides consular services like passports, civil registration, legal help and in-person voting for citizens abroad. For expats, the Consulate‑General is often the place you must travel to to vote in national elections and to register for consular services, so check its website for opening hours, location and voter-registration deadlines.
Remote voting means casting a ballot without being physically present at a polling station, using methods such as postal ballots, proxy voting or internet/telephone systems. In the current presidential vote context many Portuguese abroad had to travel to consulates because remote options weren’t available, so voters living overseas should check well before election day which methods (if any) apply to them and how to register.
Second-round ballot papers will list the names of two candidates
The National Election Commission (CNE) says there could be an “exceptional situation”, notably when ballot papers are not received in time at some location in the world.
Overseas voters may have to vote in the second round using first-round ballot papers
If there is a second round, overseas voters may vote on 7 and 8 February. At that time, the ballot papers listing the two selected candidates may not yet have arrived abroad.
Results may be held up by overseas votes
Polling stations with fewer than 100 voters registered abroad cannot count votes independently to ensure secrecy and must be transported. In theory, this can cause delays in the count.
