Voters in Seychelles went to the polls on Saturday to choose both a new president and members of parliament, with President Wavel Ramkalawan aiming for a second term in office in Africa’s smallest nation.
His main challenger, Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles Party, is a seasoned politician who served as parliamentary speaker from 2007 to 2016.
Polling stations opened at 7 am, and officials reported that voting began smoothly, with long queues forming early at several centers in the island nation known worldwide as a tourist paradise.
Ramkalawan, an Anglican priest before venturing into politics, made history in 2020 by becoming the first opposition figure since 1976 to defeat the ruling party after five previous unsuccessful attempts.
The ruling Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party has centered its campaign on economic revival, social progress, and protecting the environment.
According to electoral rules, if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders.
