The Independent Democratic Alliance Party, which supports President Trovoada, won 16 seats. President Trovoada won a second five-year term in July 1996 after receiving 52.74 percent of the approximately 40,000 votes cast in a runoff election. Despite numerous allegations of vote buying and other irregularities, international observers declared the results free and fair. An independent judiciary, including a Supreme Court with members designated by and responsible to the National Assembly, was established by the August 1990 referendum on multiparty rule. The court system is overburdened, understaffed, inadequately funded, and plagued by long delays in hearing cases.
Prison conditions are reportedly harsh.
Constitutionally protected freedom of expression is respected in practice. Newspapers appear only sporadically due to economic constraints. While the state controls a local press agency and the only radio and television stations, no law forbids independent broadcasting. Opposition parties receive free air time, and newsletters and pamphlets criticizing the government circulate freely. Freedom of assembly is respected.