Seychellois presidential election, 2015

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Seychelles

Presidential elections were held in Seychelles between 3 and 5 December 2015. As no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a second round was held between 16 and 18 December.[1] Incumbent President James Michel was re-elected, defeating opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan by just 193 votes in the second round. Ramkalawan claimed there had been "many irregularities", including vote buying.[2]

Background

The elections were initially scheduled to take place between 19 and 21 November 2015, but were moved "to give more time to political parties to prepare for the elections".[3]

Campaign

The official nomination process closed on 11 November 2015. In October 2015 incumbent President James Michel of the People's Party announced his intention to run for re-election for a third and final term. Since the re-introduction of democracy in 1993,[4] candidates from the People's Party have won all presidential and parliamentary elections in Seychelles.[3]

Alexia Amesbury, leader of the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy, was the first woman to contest a presidential election in Seychelles.[1]

Results

Michel fell short of a majority in the first round, receiving about 48% of the vote, and therefore a second round was required. The second place candidate, long-time opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan, received the support of third place candidate Patrick Pillay for the second round.[5]

Michel won the second round by a very small margin, beating Ramkalawan by only 193 votes, according to results announced by the electoral commission on 19 December 2015. Ramkalawan disputed the results and requested a recount. Michel was sworn in on 20 December.[6]

Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
James MichelPeople's Party28,91147.7631,51250.15
Wavel RamkalawanSeychelles National Party20,54033.9331,31949.85
Patrick PillayLalyans Seselwa8,59314.19
David PierrePopular Democratic Movement1,2832.12
Alexia AmesburySeychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy8031.33
Philippe BoulléIndependent4080.67
Invalid/blank votes1,4661,062
Total62,00410063,893100
Registered voters/turnout70,94387.4070,94390.06
Source: Seychelles News Agency, Seychelles News Agency

References

  1. 1 2 "Seychelles presidential race heading for run-off within 14 days - no candidate wins absolute majority after 'highly contested'", Seychelles News Agency, 6 December 2015.
  2. "Seychelles president re-elected, opposition cries foul", Reuters, 19 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Presidential elections in Seychelles rescheduled for December 3rd to 5th". Seychelles News Agency. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  4. "Elections in Seychelles". africanelections.tripod.com. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  5. "Seychelles votes in presidential run-off", Agence France-Presse, 17 December 2015.
  6. "Seychelles leader sworn in despite contested win", Agence France-Presse, 20 December 2015.
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