[Portugal] Solemn Session Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the National Electoral Commission of Portugal |
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Last updated 2025-01-31 |
Solemn Session Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the National Electoral Commission of Portugal
The President of CNE, José António Henriques dos Santos
Cabral, opened the session with a reflective speech, emphasising the
Commission's crucial role as “(...) the guardian of the electoral process,
[which] plays a fundamental role in ensuring free, fair, and transparent
elections.” The ceremony also included an address by the President
of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, who praised the
mission of the CNE and its relevance to the consolidation of portuguese
democracy. Tributes to Presidents and Members One of the most poignant moments of the session was
the tribute paid to the Presidents who have led the CNE over its five decades
of existence: 1. Adriano Vera Jardim (1975–1980); 2. João Augusto Pacheco e Melo Franco (1980–1995); 3. Armando Pinto Bastos (1995–2000); 4. António de Sousa Guedes (2000–2006); 5. João Carlos Barros Caldeira (2006–2010); 6. Fernando Costa Soares (2010–2016); 7. José Vítor Soreto de Barros (2016–2024).
Special
recognition was also given to members who served the Commission for over 20
years: - João Azevedo de Oliveira: Member of the CNE from
1982 to 2000 and from 2011 to 2016; - Jorge Manuel Ferreira Miguéis: Member of the CNE
from 1996 to 2019; - João Manuel Rosa de Almeida: Member of the CNE since
2003.
Recognition of Historic Contributions Particular emphasis was given to three individuals
whose contributions were especially significant to the history of the
Commission: - Luís Costa Correia: The first Director-General of
the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Process Affairs (STAPE), from 1975 to
1977; - Maria de Fátima Carvalho da Costa Figueira Abrantes
Mendes: Secretary of the CNE from 1979 to 2006;
- Armindo António Lopes Ribeiro Mendes: Secretary of
the first meeting of the I National Electoral Commission.
The commemorative plaques were presented by the
Presidents of the CNE and the Assembly of the Republic, who personally greeted
each honouree in a gesture of deep appreciation.
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Moments of Celebration and Reflection The ceremony featured the screening of a video
recounting the history and key milestones of the Commission over the past five
decades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NS0Z9J3Kww
Another highlight was the inauguration of the virtual
exhibition “50 Years of CNE”, an extensive retrospective on the Commission's
activities since 1974. Divided into two thematic sections — “50 Years of CNE”
and “651 Elections and Referenda” — the exhibition showcased the Commission's
major initiatives, detailed data on the 651 electoral and referenda events held
in Portugal since 1975, and information about the composition of the various
Commissions over the years.
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Closing Remarks
The President José António Henriques dos Santos Cabral
concluded the session with words of gratitude and a reaffirmation of the CNE’s
commitment to the democratic values that have guided its work since its
establishment.
This event not only celebrated the legacy of the
National Electoral Commission but also underscored the importance of
institutions that serve as the cornerstones of democracy in Portugal.
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