Seychelles voters returned to the polls on Thursday for a crucial run-off presidential election, as incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan faces a challenge from Patrick Herminie, leader of the longtime ruling United Seychelles party. The first round last month saw Herminie narrowly lead Ramkalawan with 48.8% of the vote from more than 64,000 ballots cast.
Ramkalawan, who took office in 2020 as the first president outside United Seychelles since a 1977 coup, acknowledged the stakes ahead. “I think the people of Seychelles want a balance of power to get the best deal,” he told Reuters. His coalition, Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, lost its parliamentary majority in the recent elections, meaning a second term would see him preside over a divided government.
Voting began on outlying islands and for essential workers on Thursday, with polling stations on the three main islands opening on Saturday. Final results are expected on Sunday.
During his campaign, Ramkalawan highlighted his record in guiding Seychelles’ economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized his plans to strengthen social protection, expand infrastructure, and maintain Seychelles’ neutral stance to attract foreign investment. The archipelago, home to 115 islands and considered Africa’s wealthiest country per capita, is a tourist hub and attracts strategic investment and security cooperation from China, Gulf nations, and India. However, it faces significant challenges, including climate vulnerability and high rates of heroin use.
Herminie, who faced and was cleared of witchcraft charges in 2023, is aiming to restore United Seychelles’ control over both the presidency and parliament for the first time since 2015. He has received endorsements from first-round candidates, including Marco Francis, who secured about 2% of the vote.
At a recent rally, Herminie highlighted his narrow path to victory. “We needed just 1% to win State House. That means 500 votes. And today, I’m telling you: we will get those 500 votes and go to State House on October 11,” he said. His campaign includes proposals to reverse Ramkalawan’s raised retirement age and halt a hotel project critics say threatens a UNESCO-listed coral atoll.
As Seychelles prepares for a decisive Sunday outcome, the election promises to reshape the nation’s political landscape, either confirming Ramkalawan’s second term or returning United Seychelles to full control.
