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Seychelles Re-elects President; Opposition Claims Fraud
May 23, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly       

According to the Seychelles Electoral Commission, President James Michel of the People’s Party was re-elected to another five-year term in office after winning 55.46 percent of the vote in the country’s May 19-21 presidential election. The opposition said the process was marred by bribery, Bloomberg reported.

The African elections database reported that Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party was second with 41.43 percent, Philip Boulle and Independent Candidate third with 1.66 percent. Ralph Volcere of the New Democratic Party finished in last place with 1.45 percent of the vote.

The margin of Michel's victory allowed him to avoid a second round run.Michel has been in office since April 14, 2004 when he succeeded, France-Albert René, who voluntarily resigned after 27 years in power.

According to AFP, Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) "The ruling party has bought the poll by paying voters," and supported his statement by what looked like copies of "social assistance" receipts bearing the ruling party's name.

Furthermore, the Seychelles National Party issued a report claiming that, “Owing to prevailing deficiencies in the law and the office of the Electoral Commissioner, the electoral process is open to abuse and the result of any election does not fairly reflect the freely expressed wishes of the majority of the electorate. In the final analysis the outcome is dictated by considerations other than a free choice of leadership for the country. The president invested is chosen not by a majority of free-thinking electors but by persons who are influenced principally by money.”

On May 19, Bloomberg reported that National Party spokesman Sandy Arrisol accused the People’s Party of “bribing voters at their offices” while the balloting was taking place. In response to the accusation, Michel’s campaign spokeswoman Marie-Antoinette Rose said they “dismiss claims that we have bribed anyone and are confident that we’ve followed all electoral laws because it is in our interest to have the election declared free and fair.”

On May 21, AFP reported that during his celebratory speech Michel said his government would “continue with the economic reforms and strengthen good governance during the next five years.” In 2008, the Seychelles went through an economic crisis, triggered by high oil prices, the global financial crash and huge debt. The command economy, known for the highest social security coverage in Africa, was abandoned in favor of unpopular austerity measures, job lay-offs and devaluation.

Sources:
Bloomberg – Seychelles Voting Starts as Parties Exchange Accusations

Seychelles State House – State House President James Michel Re-elected

African Elections Database – Seychelles

AFP – Vote buying claims mar Seychelles election

AFP – Seychelles leader wins presidential race