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 (1982–1985) During the normal three-year term of local governments, four municipal council by-elections were held: In the municipality of
Guimarães on 4 September 1983; In the municipality of
Marco de Canaveses on 18 December 1983; In the municipality of
São João da Madeira on 15 April 1984; In the municipality of
Lamego on 29 April 1984, adding to this, sixty-four
parishes also held a
by-election for parish assemblies. == Parties ==