Electoral system All 305 municipalities are allocated a certain number of councilors to elect corresponding to the number of registered voters in a given municipality. Each party or coalition must present a list of candidates. The winner of the most voted list for the
municipal council is automatically elected mayor, similar to
first-past-the-post (FPTP). The lists are closed and the seats in each municipality are apportioned according to the
D'Hondt method.
By-elections (1979–1982) During the normal three-year term of local governments, nine municipal council by-elections were held: In the municipality of
Corvo on 18 May 1980; In the municipality of
Vila do Porto on 20 July 1980; In the municipality of
Aguiar da Beira on 27 July 1980; In the municipality of
Mealhada on 23 November 1980; In the municipality of
Murça on 31 May 1981; In the municipality of
Nazaré on 14 June 1981; In the municipality of
Valpaços on 13 September 1981; In the municipality of
Loures on 11 October 1981; In the municipality of
Praia da Vitória on 14 February 1982, adding to this, ninety-seven
parishes also held a
by-election for parish assemblies. == Parties ==