Seychelles will head to a runoff presidential election after no candidate secured an outright majority in the weekend vote, the electoral commission announced Sunday. Opposition leader Patrick Herminie of the United Seychelles party won 48.8% of the vote, edging just ahead of incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan, who secured 46.4%. Under Seychelles’ constitution, a candidate must receive more than 50% to win outright. The date for the runoff has not yet been set.
The contest is seen as a major political test for the 115-island archipelago, Africa’s smallest nation by population but one of its richest by GDP per capita. Herminie’s United Seychelles party dominated the nation’s politics for more than four decades before losing power in 2020. Ramkalawan, an Anglican priest-turned-politician, made history that year by defeating the ruling party after six previous attempts. He is now seeking a second term on promises of economic recovery, social development, and environmental sustainability.
Turnout was strong, with early voting beginning Thursday and most citizens casting ballots on Saturday. Beyond politics, Seychelles faces growing challenges, including climate change threats, rising living costs, and a persistent drug crisis, issues that will weigh heavily on whichever candidate wins the runoff.
