SAO TOME, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova has won a second five-year term in Sao Tome and Principe's presidential election held on Sunday, according to preliminary results released by the National Electoral Commission on Monday.

A boy sells sugarcane on a beach in Lemba district, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, July 15, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)

Over 140,000 voters were registered for the election. Following the withdrawal of one candidate, four candidates remained in the race, including Nito Viegas d'Abreu, a member of the National Assembly.

Preliminary results showed that Vila Nova secured 55.94 percent of the vote, exceeding the threshold needed to win outright in the first round.

Under the country's electoral law, a presidential candidate who receives more than half of the valid votes in the first round is elected. Should no candidate secure an absolute majority, the two leading candidates advance to a runoff.

The constitution stipulates that the president is the head of state and supreme commander of the armed forces.

Under the country's electoral calendar, National Assembly elections are scheduled for September this year.

Vila Nova was elected president after winning the second round of the presidential election in September 2021.