Seychelles’ Presidential Election Goes to Second Round
In a nail-biter of a vote, Seychelles’ presidential election is heading to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the first round. The island nation’s Electoral Commission confirmed Sunday that opposition leader Patrick Herminie (United Seychelles) led with 48.8% of votes, while incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan (LDS) trailed closely with 46.4%. The runoff will take place October 9–11. 🗳️
Why a Runoff?
Under Seychelles’ constitution, a candidate must win over 50% of votes to avoid a runoff. With eight candidates splitting the vote, the top two contenders—Herminie and Ramkalawan—will face off again. Think of it like a political rematch, but with palm trees and ocean breezes. 🌴
National Assembly Shakeup
In a twist, United Seychelles also won 20 seats in the National Assembly, edging out Ramkalawan’s LDS party (15 seats). Herminie called the results a “wise decision” by voters, while Ramkalawan, a seasoned campaigner, said this is his second time entering a runoff: “I pray only for peace… I look forward to this next fight.” 💬
What’s Next?
With the runoff just weeks away, both candidates are gearing up for a high-stakes battle. Will the Indian Ocean paradise stick with its current leader or opt for change? Stay tuned! 🔍
