SEYCHELLES ELECTION RESULTS ARE OUT
Three days of peaceful voting have come to an end yesterday evening at 7 p.m. across the inner islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, after all other islands had their voting carried out during the two previous days.
As expected and as witnessed personally at the end of May during the presidential elections, the conduct by the electorate was mature and no incidents of substance were reported from anywhere across the islands.
The general election became necessary when the previous parliament dissolved itself amid much controversy over the then opposition attempting to block parliamentary proceedings through a boycott and then failed to participate in the 2011 General Election. A new opposition party was swiftly formed by dissenters previously part of the SNP, but with little time to prepare for an election campaign eventually failed to capture a single elective seat from the 25 constituencies nor apparently gathered enough votes to claim some of the proportional seats otherwise available. Party LEPEP of President Michel captured all elective seats in the new assembly with a voter turnout of 74.3 percent.
The result, while celebrated amongst Party LEPEP supporters, leaves democracy in the Seychelles somewhat poorer than before, as opposition within parliament is now absent and will have to find another platform to participate in public affairs, and even President Michel expressed his regret over this turn of events when he said: we wished that the opposition gained some seats in order to encourage more debate. He however congratulated the leader of the sole opposition party participating in the election, David Pierre of the Popular Democratic Movement, for his efforts and maturity in being part of the democratic process.
Full results from each constituency will be available by mid day Sunday. Congratulations to the winning team and to the opposition a call to take heart as there will always be another opportunity to do better in the future.
Meanwhile was a message received from one of two close acquaintances presently on holiday on Mahe, saying: one would simply not have known about these elections but for the posters and headlines and articles in the local papers Nation and Today which we get in the hotel. Of course I dont listen to the local radio stations or watch local TV so I could not say what was on air. But unlike at home in Britain where elections are marked by big rallies and high visibility of candidates and parties, here it was just another day in paradise. I know you keep reminding me that Seychelles is part of Africa but to be honest, going for a holiday to Africa during elections is really not a good idea but here in Seychelles it was just business as usual.
Seychelles truly Another World.
3 Responses
Naive views of Seychelles.
This is a sad day for Seychelles, but then again it depends which side of the fence you are sitting. The “clean sweep” victory means the return of dictatorship in Seychelles. After all, Michel never believed in democracy as he was part of the coup in 1977 that led to 15 years of dictorship in this country. You are looking at an evil being who disrespect his people and does not give a rat’s ass about the wishes of the minority, well actually almost half of the polpulation living in Seychelles, let alone the thousands who reside abroad. Michel paid David Pierre 6.5 million rupees earlier this year, prior to the presidential election to resign from the SNP. The master plan was to give an impression that the party was in disarray. Shortlyafter Mr. Pierre bought a house, in La Louise on the main Island of Mahe, cash upfront and he was travelling and spending lavishly in Singapore and Dubai.
After the opposition made their anouncement that they would not participate in the parliamentary election, Michel reached out again for Mr. Pierre and paid him to register a new political party so that the election would go ahead.
Ramkalawan might have miscalculated his moves, but I believe that at the end of the day he is not the biggest looser after all. I believe that Michel and the people of Seychelles are the biggest loosers. What is the point of having a parliament when all the seats are occupied by one party? This is a waste of the tax payers’ money and clearly this is when Michel feels at his best, that is being a dictator, the successor of the previous dictator Rene.
Fact: The country is worse than it was in 1977. You have a dictator ruling the country and the rupee is 3 times less than it used to be, and it’s peopole are 3 times poorer than they used to be back then.
Will the people of Seychelles simply sit back and watch what’s next or are Michel’s days in office numbered.
Michel days are numbered. Watch out for the Seychelles spring!