Portuguese presidential election voting commenced on Sunday with over 11 million registered voters expected to participate. The election features a record field of 11 candidates vying for the presidency. Polling hours are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm local time, with results anticipated later the same day.
Recent polls suggest that Andre Ventura, leader of the far-right party Chega, holds an advantage in the race. Other notable candidates include Antonio Jose Seguro of the center-left Socialist Party, Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo of the Liberal Initiative, and Luis Marques Mendes of the center-right Social Democratic Party. The president is elected through direct popular vote, with a candidate needing more than 50 percent of valid votes in the first round to win.
The election is likely to proceed to a second round, as indicated by multiple local media outlets. If a runoff is required, it would be the first in 40 years, with the top two contenders facing off. The runoff, held about two weeks after the initial round, determines the winner by a simple majority. Early voting for the presidential elections began on January 11, allowing registered voters to cast their ballots ahead of the main election day.
Presidential candidates have been actively campaigning across the country, particularly in northern regions. Notable candidates in the race include Antonio Jose Seguro, Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Luis Marques Mendes, and Joao Cotrim de Figueiredo. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was among those who voted early, emphasizing the flexibility of the voting system in Portugal, where voting is not mandatory.
