Seychelles President James Michel calls Presidential Election

Michel, Ramkalawan in run-off

07-December-2015
Seychellois voters have set the stage for a historic and bruising presidential run-off later this month after none of the six candidates could pull off the 50% plus one vote for an outright majority in the first round on Saturday.

This is the first time since the return of multi-party democracy in Seychelles in 1993 that the presidential election goes into a second round and the people will now have to decide between two candidates – Parti Lepep’s James Michel and Seychelles National Party’s Wavel Ramkalawan – who secured the most votes in the December 3-5 first round.

As the second round has to take place between seven and 14 days after the first, the Electoral Commission has said Seychellois who are eligible to vote will be called upon again to choose between incumbent President Michel and long-time rival Ramkalawan in the second round from December 16-18.

It was close to 5am that Electoral Commission chairman Hendrick Gappy announced the results at the commission headquarters at the National Library in the presence of four of the six candidates – Mr Michel, Mr Ramkalawan, Patrick Pillay of Lalyans Seselwa and Alexia Amesbury of the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy.

David Pierre of the Popular Democratic Movement and independent candidate Philippe Boullé were absent.

Also present were members of the diplomatic community in Seychelles, representatives of the observer missions and religious leaders.

Out of the 70,943 eligible voters, there were a total of 62,004 votes cast among which 60,538 were valid votes and 1,466 rejected ballots. The voter turnout was 87.4%.

Incumbent President, 71-year-old Michel who won 28,911 votes (47.76%), said the result showed that Parti Lepep is still dominant.

“We got more votes than any other party. We missed by only two percent. We are ready for the second round,” said Mr Michel.

Mr Michel’s closest challenger was 54-year-old Anglican priest Ramkalawan who scored 21,391 votes (35.33%).

Mr Ramkalawan thanked the other opposition parties and his voters for helping force a second round for the first time ever and said “with 52.23% of the votes the opposition has more supporters”.
He added: “Michel, we will come after you as the army of the opposition.”

Mr Michel scored more than 50% in seven out of the 25 districts with the highest score of 68.40% (1,186 out of a possible 1,734) coming from the inner islands. The other six districts where he won more than 50% are Baie Ste Anne (57.51%), Cascade (53.12%), Grand Anse Praslin (50.83%), Pointe Larue (52.38%), Roche Caïman (52.78%) and Takamaka (53.16%).

This is 17 districts less than in 2011 when he won all but two districts to total 31,966 votes (55.46%) to be re-elected President for a second five-year term. Mr Michel’s poorest score was registered in St Louis with 877 votes (40.21%) out of a possible 1,683 votes.

As for Mr Ramkalawan, he also got fewer votes than in 2011 when he totalled 23,878 (41.43%) and after scoring more than 50% once then – 53.10% at St Louis – he did not go over the 50% margin this time as his best percentage score was 46.86% again at St Louis after he amassed 1,022 of a possible 1,683 votes. He also beat Mr Michel in Beau Vallon 43.15% to 41.23%.

Mr Ramkalawan’s lowest score was from the inner islands – 398 votes out of a possible 1,734 (22.95%).

The margin between Mr Michel and Mr Ramkalawan is 7,520 votes – 568 less than in 2011 when the former beat the latter by 8,088 votes (31,966 against 23,878).

The scores of the other four candidates in the first round are as follows: Mr Pillay (8,593 votes for 14.19%), Mrs Amesbury (832 votes for 1.37%), Mr Boullé (411 votes for 0.68%) and Mr Pierre (400 votes for 0.66%).

Mr Pillay, a former minister and ambassador in the Parti Lepep government, lawyer Amesbury, the first female presidential candidate in the history of Seychelles, and Mr Pierre, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, were running for the presidency for the first time.

Of the three new entrants, Mr Pillay has surely drawn away more support from the two main parties – Parti Lepep and Seychelles National Party – with his score of 8,593 votes (14.19%).
Dividing Mr Pillay’s percentage into two and giving those to the two main parties would mean a win for Parti Lepep with a score of 54.85% and the Seychelles National Party would have finished with 42.42%.

This was Mr Boullé’s fourth unsuccessful bid in a presidential election as an independent candidate and his score dropped from 956 in 2011 to 411 this year, while Mr Pierre is the biggest loser with just 400 votes to finish last in the race involving six candidates.

The accompanying table shows the results district by district.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247765


Elections présidentielles 2015 :

07-December-2015
Deuxième tour historique !

Pour la première fois dans l’histoire politique des Seychelles, deux candidats disputeront un deuxième tour aux élections présidentielles.

Le candidat de Parti Lepep James Michel et celui du Parti National Seychellois (SNP) Wavel Ramkalawan se retrouveront face à face le 16, 17 et 18 décembre prochain pour un deuxième tour, après être sortis premier et deuxième respectivement dans le scrutin tenu du 3 au 5 décembre.

Les Seychellois ont attendu jusqu’à 4 heures 45 hier matin pour attendre le nom du président élu. Hélas, aucun des six candidats en lisse n’a pu obtenir les plus de 50% nécessaires pour être élu au premier tour.

Avec 47,76% ou un total de 28 911 voies sur les 62 004 exprimés, le président sortant James Michel n’a pu délivrer le KO direct promis à ses adversaires. M. Ramkalawan a donc récolté 35,33% des voies exprimés, soient un total de 21 391. Du coup, les plus de 8 000 bulletins manquant au Parti Lepep semblent donc allés au parti dissident de celui-ci ; l’Alliance Seychellois de M. Patrick Pillay en existence depuis quelques mois seulement et qui arrive en troisième position avec 14,19%, soit 8 593 de votes.

Les trois autres candidats ont dans l’ensemble contribué 1 643 voies, soit 2.71% au total de l’opposition. Alexia Amesbury du Parti pour la Justice Social et la Démocratie (SPSJD) – 832 et 1.37%, Philippe Boullé candidat indépendant – 411 et 0.68% et David Pierre du Mouvement Démocratie Populaire (PDM) – 400 et 0.66%.

M. Michel qui a remercié les observateurs internationaux pour ces élections qu’il dit se sont déroulées dans la paix et qui prouve la maturité du peuple seychellois, a aussi remercié ses supporters et membres de son partie pour avoir travaillé très dur, et ceux qui ont mis leur confiance en lui et l’ont voté en tête comparé aux autres candidats. Il s’est dit prêt pour le deuxième tour où son parti assure de faire mieux.

« Parti Lepep représente la plus grande force politique dans le pays malgré manquer 2% pour être réélu au premier tour. Nous avons eu plus de vote que les autres partis. Nous sommes prêts pour le deuxième tour et assurer de faire mieux qu’au premier. Avant, nous étions face à plusieurs opposants, maintenant nous allons faire face à un opposant. Je demande à mes supporters de rester calmes et de travailler pour ce deuxième tour », a-t-il dit.

Les désormais trois autres principales figures de l’opposition ont dit qu’elles vont se rallier derrière M. Ramkalawan et vont travailler ensemble pour le deuxième tour. Nous partageons avec vous leurs différentes réactions après l’annonce des résultats hier matin.

M. Ramkalawan : « Je voudrais remercier l’électorat pour avoir voter pour l’opposition. L’opposition est plus forte que le parti au pouvoir. Au deuxième tour il n’y aura pas une personne contre M.

Michel, mais tout une armée. Je voudrais saluer M. Pillay qui est allé en enfer et est revenu. Nous ne devons pas avoir ça dans une démocratie. Je le salue pour son courage. Quant à Alexia, le pays a besoin de plus de femmes comme elle. Ce que nous avons montré dans l’opposition est que les élections ne sont pas une vente aux enchères. Ce n’est pas une question d’argent pour acheter les votes. L’opposition a parlé au peuple en lui offrant des programmes pour le développement de la nation. Le pays a besoin d’élection libre pour choisir ses leaders sans que les gens reçoivent de l’argent et sans corruption. Je souhaite que bientôt le pays ait des lois qui règlent la quantité d’argent dépensée dans une élection. Je salue le peuple seychellois qui après 38 ans a fait de l’opposition la plus grande force politique du pays. Ceci montre que je dois continuer à travailler pour les Seychelles. Aujourd’hui je n’ai pas envie de parler de SNP mais de parler de l’opposition. Nous avons déjà commencé à se parler pour donner un meilleur avenir à notre pays et une meilleure place pour tous les Seychellois. Il n’est plus temps de faire des promesses qui ne sont pas réalisées. L’opposition va mener une campagne propre pour que les enfants du pays utilisent leur intelligence pour développer le pays. On n’a pas promis d’argent. Nous offrons le courage et l’amour pour le pays. Ensemble nous allons le faire, et quand on dit ensemble c’est tout le monde sans quitter certains en arrière. »

Mme Alexia Amesbury : « Ce moment est historique car c’est la première fois qu’on montre au peuple seychellois que le pays peut changer. C’est juste le début. Je remercie les gens qui ont voté, la SBC, les Eglises, la Commission Electorale et les autres organisateurs des élections et ceux qui ont supporté l’opposition. On va travailler ensemble pour ce deuxième tour. »

M. Patrick Pillay : « Je félicite M. Michel pour être arrivé en tête à la fin du premier tour. Je félicite aussi M. Ramkalawan qui va représenter l’opposition. On va travailler ensemble pour que le vent de changement souffle sur notre pays. J’ai gardé ma dignité malgré toutes les accusations et calomnies. Ceux qui arrêtent la guerre sont des perdants. Je ne vais pas arrêter la guerre. En même temps je pardonne ceux qui m’ont maltraité. La campagne a montré beaucoup de choses immorales et la dignité des gens n’a pas été respectée. L’Alliance Seychellois remercie ses supporters pour dire non à quelque chose que nous n’acceptons pas. Je remercie l’Eglise pour avoir travaillé avec l’opposition pour avoir des résultats qui vont aider à restaurer la dignité et éliminer la peur. Je remercie aussi les observateurs pour nous avoir assisté dans le processus de maturation de notre démocratie et dans la recherche d’une Seychelles meilleure pour nos enfants ».


http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247764

Candidates’ representatives meet today to discuss second act modalities

07-December-2015
The second act of the Presidential election 2015 starts today when representatives of the two candidates – Parti Lepep’s James Michel and Seychelles National Party’s Wavel Ramkalawan – discuss the modalities that go with any election here.

They will meet members of the Electoral Commission today at 1.30pm for the draw of lots for the order in which candidates for the second round of the presidential election will appear on the ballot paper. They will also discuss the modalities and schedule of party political broadcasts (PPB) on Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) TV and radio.

The Electoral Commission is urging all voters to exercise their right and take their responsibility to take part fully in this second round which will see the election of the new president for the next five years.

Second round of voting will take place from December 16-18 and the electorate will choose between incumbent President Michel and long-time rival Ramkalawan.

The Electoral Commission is also calling on all candidates, their representatives and agents to abide by the shared ethical code of conduct for this election.

Meanwhile, people whose names did not appear on the voter register and therefore could not vote in the first round will still not be able to do so as, according to Mr Gappy, campaigning for the second round already started yesterday.

Also present when the first-round results were announced were members of the diplomatic community in Seychelles, representatives of the observer missions and religious leaders.

In the first round contested by six candidates, incumbent President Michel won 28,911 votes (47.76%), while his closest challenger, Mr Ramkalawan scored 21,391 votes (35.33%).


Seychelles Nation

AU observation mission head and COI leader call on President Michel

07-December-2015


On Friday, the eve of the main polling day, the head of the African Union (AU) observation mission Julia Dolly Joiner and the secretary general of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Jean Claude de L’Estrac who is leading the latter’s observation mission delegation paid a courtesy call on President James Michel at State House.

Speaking to the press soon after the meeting Ms Joiner said it was an opportunity to brief Mr Michel on the work the AU mission had been doing and the interactions it has been having with different stakeholders.

Ms Joiner said the observers witnessed the election process in the different special polling stations on the first day of voting on Thursday and said they were very much impressed and encouraged by the calm and peaceful atmosphere, the presence of presidential candidates and their party representative who observed the election process, respect procedures and accompanied ballot boxes to the Electoral Commission.

“These are positive signs which are very encouraging for democracy,” she said.

Mr de L’’Estrac expressed the same wish noting that the calm and peaceful atmosphere is a sign of maturity of the electorate.

He noted that more than ever he has observed an acceptance from all sides that national institutions are carrying out their fuctions as required though he admitted that there will always be critricisms but they are not as rife.

With regard to election logistics Mr de L’Estrac said these are well in place and with the presence of the different political parties anything which deserve attention were pointed out and attended to by the Electoral Commission.

“In general we have seen that things are functioning as they should and everybody knows what he or she has to do and all is being carried out transparently as it should be in a democracy,” he said, noting that the important thing is that peace, calm and order continue to reign regardless who wins the election as life will continue after the election.

The accompanying photos show Ms Joiner and Mr de L’Estrac during their meetings with President Michel.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247759

President Obama moved by Mancham’s generosity

07-December-2015

Seychelles founding President Sir James R. Mancham following his return to Seychelles last Thursday from various peace-orientated overseas missions, received in audience the U.S. ambassador to Mauritius and Seychelles, Shari Villarosa, at his residence at Glacis-sur-Mer, Mahé.

Ambassador Villarosa delivered to Sir James a personal letter from U.S. President Barack Obama who acknowledged receipt of a collection of Sir James' recent books - "I want you to know that I am moved by your generosity --- Though we all come from different traditions and communities, I believe nations and individuals are stronger when they work together. By connecting across borders and cultures and holding firm to the ideals that unite us, we can move toward a future of greater peace and prosperity for all. Thank you again for your thoughtful gesture. I wish you all the best," President Obama stated.

Sir James availed of the opportunity to discuss with Ambassador Villarosa and Paul Gormley, Economic Officer who accompanied her, a whole range of matters of and concerning world issues generally and Seychelles-U.S. relationship in particular.

He said that all citizens of goodwill in the world had been saddened by last week's barbaric shooting in San Bernardino, California, which followed the recent attack on innocents in Paris on November 13, 2015.

Sir James said that these attacks were horrifying crimes, filling the city with grief and uniting people throughout the world in solidarity with the victims and with France.
These attacks, he said, were cold-blooded murders of innocent people - clearly crimes deserving punishment. But when crimes are used as the impetus for war, the crimes and grief are multiplied and the toll of innocents increases to become the norm.

"Surely we must cry havoc, but we must also be wary of letting loose the dogs of war," he quoted this declaration which was recently made by David Krieger, founder and chairman of the California-based Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

Sir James said that as a global citizen committed to work for world peace, he was glad to note that President Obama shares his view that the problem of violent extremism cannot be solved by military intervention alone.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247755

Presidential Election 2015: Visualizing the results of the first round


http://seychellesweekly.com/December%207,%202015/pol1_2015_election_visualizing_results.html

Under that SIROP program we gave you the WWW - for the first time sine the Berlin Wall came down we visited Berlin - upon former Chancellor Schmidt funeral - Berlin is ins a dreadful state I/we are only a Seychellois
To make this statement after Seychelles election, what is going on in Europe either one is disturbed/mad or very good at what he does. How many Seychelleois alive from President Mancham, Dr Ferrari, J A Michel can make this statement and the situation with the ECB - Because we/I was importantly involved. It was not the Fax or the small politic of Seychelles Opposition which changes that Seychelles we were involved in a much greater game. Hence we often write about the intellectual constipation meaning - those in the greater world who force/compels you the Seychelles politicians to think in only certain dimension - the dimension they will dictate. Without the important intervention/involvement of those who run that SIORP Program - James Michel would have been reelected first round. We ha v e worked with political parties, head of state the past 35 years across the globe - what really happens - for all that the media writes. Without the intervention of those who manage that SIROP program there will be no change in that Seychelles and the Indian ocean. ( Somebody reminded my person of the long list Mr Gerrard Hoareau had drawn up of those to be sent to jail and published polite put. This not what you have been told time and time again. The Berlin Wall and the events which save the world from a nuclear destruction was not done by the so call elected government and their Institution, their military - This Force will have required to come into play because ti was importantly involved in the Cold War Communist verses the West USA. It will be required to help in the process and the future economic workings of that nation and Region. If it was god enough to Bring the Berlin Wall down and save mankind form a Nuclear destruction and compel President FA Rene to change course it will be good enough for Seychelles fledgling Democracy. Those who run PL, the Army Seychelles Police and the Intelligence Service of Seychelles know about this. Safe the Seychelllois citizens and those who refuse to read and listen. On the topic of Intellectual constipation- Beside our Seychelles/Indian Ocean crap took time to look closer at the German, Austrian, France and former East Europe exile/refugee situation and the impact on greater European politic. We do not require the permission of nobody or none of the EU High Institutions - If we judge that SIROP program can have a significant on future European, North Africa, Gulf Region exile/refugee politic we will engage. Those entities from Syria, Iraq, North Africa who judge we require the permission of the EU and UN. Ask those alive when we integrated the greater world Refugee/migrant workings in that SIROP program if we asked the EU or UN for their permission and what ensued/ Their Benchmark and our benchmark.It is a much more palatable/acceptable working/economic proposition/prospective that the Blue Economy etc too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/341060205942282/permalink/912179112163719/

Comment - Mitchel J Edmond We had decided to travel the route we did and the Funeral of chancellor Helmut Schmidt to appraise the symbiosis/synergy of the Presidential in Seychelles before and after the election and the debate of the future of Seychelles Nation - those who know our politicians their respective capabilities to lead that Nation. On a more level headed Facebook contribution - we have listened to the broadcast of Hon Wavel, Mr Philippe Boulle and ex Minister Pat Pillay, the first female Presidential candidate - their vision for Seychelles. There are those who hold the view given the state of the world and global economy a government of national Unity would be the most effective way forward - with this in mind how the two presidential candidates would prepare their arguments and how case. There is the important need to state the opposition do not and will lack an effective professional to form and manage a successful government with out being confronted sooner or later by the PL their many many years in Office global connections and networks. There are those who argue with a Unity government it defeat the objective of the election and purging the system /inn-effectiveness. Over the past 25 years have state that Mr Philippe Boulle had a very important role in that SIROP program and that Program is two third complete. Had we been in Seychelles the direct impact on our politic and nation workings. - we are not - beside those 150, exile/refugees families who have returned. To make Mr Philippe Boulle argument more note worthy they would have to offer/make him the Minister of Internal affairs. In the case Hon Wavel refuse a government of National Unity including the PL elements. Jut the Opposition - we have to prepare major challenges in the change process, unless he want o become like President J A Michel. From our Europe and International workings will request a large number of European, Global players and African Union, Indian Ocean, Gulf Region to join us in Bruxelles to discuss some of the agendas of that SIROP program - under the current situation the UNHCR and EU should accommodate/help - we will try and get those who can to find us a reasonable venue to sit the large international many parties we have in mind - irrelevant if the Opposition wins or not. In the case they loose we have to set our agenda - those 25,000/30,000 have rights and a working solution need to be put onto place with the support of the world. We will be inviting all those who wish to participate from Seychelles and the Region.The legal financial Rights of those people will be discussed and the money due to them in part the important impact of the EU leading to the Presidential election. I will be traveling to Strasbourg to lobby those who can and will help - it would have been good if we could meet about the 27 of December 2015 should this be impossible believe a date for middle of January 2016 in Bruxelles. Many have presented the ferocious side of then Lawyer Mathilda Towmey - then 1993 - had that SIROP program been half implemented as was envisage a special Office in Europe and Seychelles would have been set up - the SPPF/PL opposed this. We will be insisting that it be reinstated in the debate/conference.

Presidential election 2015 – second round

09-December-2015
Run-off campaign underway

Seychelles National Party (SNP) presidential candidate Wavel Ramkalawan will feature first on the ballot paper for the second round of voting while Parti Lepep presidential candidate James Michel will follow in second place.
This was decided on Monday morning after the drawing of lots by representatives of the two parties in the presidential run-off.
Meanwhile, lots were also drawn to decide which candidate will feature first in the party political broadcasts (PPBs) on radio and television.
Parti Lepep will be the first to present its 13-minute PPB on Thursday December 10 followed by the Seychelles National Party (SNP). Another 26-minute PPB by the two candidates will be broadcast on Saturday December 12 and the two parties will close the campaign with a 13-minute programme each on Monday December 14.
Simon Gill of Parti Lepep and Nicholas Prea of SNP met at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission on Monday morning to decide on the election modalities.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247782

Rapport préliminaire des élections présidentielles 2015 du CDWS
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247781

International observers commend Seychelles’ presidential election process
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247779

Lapolis pou vin pli ferm kont bann move konportman

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247773

Letter to the Editor - The inevitable need for national reconciliation
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247766

LINYON SANZMAN SESEL PRESS CONFERENCE 9/12/2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQv4yzK8_kI&feature=youtu.be


Seselwa Annou Koze… TON PAT REINFORCES LINYON SANZMAN!
https://youtu.be/MCUWpyIn9kc

First round of Presidential election 2015

10-December-2015
ARID releases preliminary report

The Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (ARID), a local election observer mission, has issued its preliminary statement on the first round of the presidential election held on December 3, 4 and 5, 2015.
Among the recommendations pointed out by the deputy head of mission Jules Hoareau, the most pertinent ones were: the use of transparent ballot boxes, adequate voter’s education spots on television with sign language as well as on radio, introduction of braille ballot papers for blind voters, review of the regulations to allow voters turning 18 years old on election date the opportunity to cast their vote and blank ballot papers should not be considered as invalid votes but rather as unallocated votes.
This report was presented yesterday at the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) offices at Orion Mall in the presence of the head of mission Lucianne Sofola, observers of the Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles (CDWS), among international observers and other guests.
The report covers the assessment of the electoral process from the pre-election period through to the voting phase and up to polling day and the announcement of the results.
This report describes the main findings of the mission, from the engagement with stakeholders, methodology, campaigning period, election commission, complaints as well as media and it makes recommendations to the relevant election stakeholders in Seychelles for future improvements.
It will be shared with the Electoral Commission (EC), political parties and candidates who contested the elections and the media.
Mr Hoareau said lack of appropriate legal framework and legislation is a grave concern to ARID.Mr Hoareau presenting ARID’s preliminary report
“For example, the constitution is silent on the issue of change in the government and in the presidency. How does one president hand over office to a new president, this is a serious concern. We also have some concerns on the election act. The issue of valid vote and vote cast. A blank vote cast is not necessarily an invalid vote, it should be treated as an unallocated vote. Another important issue is the right of Seychellois living abroad to vote in their respective country of residence,” he said.
ARID registered numerous complaints related to vote buying, distribution of goodies and gifts to voters and even reports of illegal substances such as drugs being given for free to drug addict voters in the district of Mont Fleuri, Mont Buxton and Les Mamelles.
“We had complaints about activists from some political parties paying voters up to R500. We even noticed check points in most districts whereby political parties were regrouping voters,” said Mr Hoareau.
ARID noted the concerns highlighted by other stakeholders, namely the political parties, about the lack of education and information from the EC explaining the amendments in the election law 2014 whereby citizens turning 18 years are no longer automatically added to the voter’s register.
“Given all these issues, a second round with the same voter’s roll will further compromise the credibility of this election as on a second count the same group of ‘turn away voters’ will be disenfranchised again, hence violating their constitutional rights as citizens,” Mr Hoareau noted.
They also released their new hotline (2777004) where members of the public are encouraged to report at any given time any incident, suspicion or anything they find warrants the attention of the observers.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247794

Presidential election 2015 - Third round unlikely but not impossible

10-December-2015
It has been announced that more details on the forthcoming second round presidential run-off will be published in the Official Gazette this week.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the SBC TV Attorney General Rony Govinden has said the law does not provide for a third round in a very unlikely scenario where both candidates taking part in the run-off come out with the same number of votes.
But he pointed out that in case of such a distinct possibility and there is a deadlock the Electoral Commission will have to announce a third round of voting.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere remains calm as people go about their normal activities while they wait to go to the polls again starting Wednesday next week.
After none of the six candidates could pull off the 50% plus one vote for an outright majority in the first round of the December 3-5, 2015 presidential election, a run-off is necessary to decide who between Parti Lepep’s James Michel and Seychelles National Party’s (SNP) Wavel Ramkalawan will become the next President.
The two men secured the most votes in the first round.
Out of the 70,943 eligible voters, there were a total of 62,004 votes cast among which 60,538 were valid votes and 1,466 rejected ballots. The voter turnout was 87.4%.
Incumbent President Michel won 28,911 votes (47.76%), while Mr Ramkalawan scored 21,391 votes (35.33%).

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247787

Human Rights Day message - ‘Let’s keep championing human rights for all’
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247786

Comment - What a load of Judge E J Stiven  and Kentish Farmers/Campbell manure.( Mr Tino Nageon, Daddy Michel , the two Albert Families pile of rotten cinnamon leaves) They will write/tell this to those visiting so call observers - do they know the reality of things - our plight the past near 40 years.

Presidential election 2015 - SADC PF mission to stay on to observe second round of voting

11-December-2015
The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has announced that its election observation mission will remain in Seychelles to observe the second round of the 2015 presidential election set for December 16, 17 and 18.
This follows the non-conclusive nature of the first round election which took place from December 3-5.
The SADC PF is a regional organisation of the National Parliaments of SADC member states formed in 1996 and approved by the SADC.
The SADC PF mission which observed the first round of the presidential election was constituted following an invitation by the Electoral Commission of Seychelles. The mission becomes the 40th election observation mission to be deployed to a SADC member state since 1999 when SADC PF started observing elections.
The mission leader is Fezile Bhengu, a member of parliament from South Africa. Parliamentarians from SADC national parliaments and officials from the SADC PF secretariat make up the mission.
The mission will be engaging with stakeholders in Seychelles throughout the electoral process and will observe political campaigning, voting on December 16, 17 and 18, 2015 and the counting process.
The mission’s observation work will be guided by SADC PF’s two election instruments, namely the Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region and the Benchmarks for Assessing Elections in Southern Africa as well as the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance among other regional and international election instruments.
The mission’s overall assessment of and recommendations on the second round of the presidential elections will be presented at a press conference on December 20, 2015.
The SADC PF election observation mission has reiterated its call for political parties, candidates, the electorate and all electoral stakeholders in Seychelles to maintain the maturity and tolerance that characterised the first round of the election period.


Parti Lepep Live Streaming - Special Event 11th December 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK9hwivhHjQ

Presidential election 2015

12-December-2015

Ballot papers for second round arrive

Ballot papers for the second round of the Presidential election arrived in the country last night from South Africa on board an Air Seychelles flight.
The ballot papers were printed at the same South African printers which did those used for the first round.
Electoral commissioner Hendrick Gappy and representatives of the two candidates who have made it to the second – Wilson Joseph representing James Michel of Parti Lepep and Robin Johnstone representing Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party – also returned last night.
A total of 71,000 ballot papers have been printed for the 70,943 registered voters.
This is the first time since the return of multi-party democracy in Seychelles in 1993 that the presidential election goes into a second round. The people will now have to decide who between Parti Lepep’s James Michel and Seychelles National Party’s Wavel Ramkalawan, the two candidates who secured the most votes in the December 3-5 first round, will be the country’s next president.
Voting for the second round will be from December 16-18.
Based on lots drawn on Monday this week, Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles National Party appears at the top of the ballot paper followed by Parti Lepep presidential candidate, incumbent President James Michel.
The paper also contains the name of each presidential candidate and the party they represent, followed by that party's and independent candidate's logo, the photo of the candidate and an empty box next to it in which the voters will put a mark to indicate which candidate they are voting for.
Voters are reminded that they should put only one mark in the box provided next to the candidate of their choice for the votes to be valid.
Out of the 70,943 eligible voters, there were a total of 62,004 votes cast among which 60,538 were valid votes and 1,466 rejected ballots during the first round. The voter turnout was 87.4%.
Incumbent President, 71-year-old Michel won 28,911 votes (47.76%), while 54-year-old Anglican priest Ramkalawan scored 21,391 votes (35.33%).

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247823

Eleksyon Prezidansyel 2015 – Mini-rali Parti Lepep

12-December-2015
‘En vre kaptenn pa abandonn son lekipaz,’ Msye Michel i dir
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247826


Presidential election 2015 – second round

12-December-2015
PPBs continue tonight
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247819

Facebook Comment - It is terrible to use glass/spectacle one cannot see properly - Over the past 20 years have written of our capacity to get President J A Michel and FA Rene to put in place economic program and projects - The challenges and problematic. We have read and listened to ex Minister Pat Pillay talking of "Touloul" It is a very big problem in Seychelles not just for the government but the leading oppositions. We many be of the verge of a breakthrough after 35 years of trying and yet the comportment of the many oppositions attitude - they accuse PL of lying they are about to commit themselves to bigger dishonesty and lies in as much they are supposed to be the representative of the Truth if we can term it thus as against PL. In Mauritius, India, South Africa, Kenya everybody debate and discuss openly the significant contributions the /their Diaspora communities play/contribution of their National economy and development - safe Seychelles - come the coinage of Minister pat Pillay "Toulou" In particular we address this to the would be future president of Seychelles - many will say we are undermining him and cutting him down - from a Diaspora prospective we have lent to rebuilding the might USA economy - President Obama is alive yet in Seychelles we can forget James Michel - when we have the Opposition taking everybody for a Toulon it is not right. This Bring us to question this incoming Team economic Plan and Model for the next five years. The political world we as a small nation us not much better than the battle field of Middle east - the very long list of abnormal practice associated. If in Seychelles you choose to believe otherwise then you have never done business. From this prospective can understand why everybody choose to ignore the important capacity of the Seychelles Diaspora to impute importantly in the Seychelles and regional economy. What lends us to share this thought is a so call accidental meeting in Paddock Wood Kent in front of a leading family store where for the past five years we have been sending President FA Rene a Yellow duckling Christmas card - not far is the Building the duchess of Kent Inaugurated 1989 - it is the first time since we have lived in Kent some 27 years to encounter.meet with five members of the Labour party canvassing on the Street and in the small Town all those who know the importance of the Masonic Lodge. I shared with then the issues of Seychelles Presidential election - the current situation, the economy, the politic, Security, Pirate, China, Russia and the Arab presence there/role. He made this statement will they be able to accommodate the demands of all the five coalition parties and for how long. I shard my view that this was not a game. The political and economic situation the world is in. There is the important need in that Seychelles to differentiate between Seychelles diaspora working and foreigners - nobody seem to have been able to explain bring the populace to understand/comprehend. To control and curtail them James Michel and his henchman went about putting all kinds of networks an regulatory structures - he failed. In the end he landed in the Blue Economy. Very much an invention of hi own. We need to get back to some basics and this is the core working of the Diaspora. Equally the requirement to be blunt - It would not take much to mess Seychelles economic workings completely. In as much it is more difficult to build than to wreck it. We need to see some tangible goodwill from this Team - one of them just as they have after a very long time decided to explain to the Seychelles some of the minute sum of money vanished - the need to explain to the Seychellois the significant and important role it/we have played in building that economy since 1991. (We will not be able to edit all the above comment we have posted - talking of Paddock Wood in bracket - what we did not discus with those 5 Labour representative was how, the manner and why the Somali pirate became a phenomena in the Indian Ocean on the back of that SIROP $500 - $800 millions program. The so call USA, UN other versions and OAU - what ensued/realy happened. and the Somali themselves have hared. Given that we have a Somali Pirate Center in Seychelles funded by British Tax Payer. The SPPF/PL refused to address this a much more bigger event took place the global meltdown of 2008 - all those who have taken the time to read what we have written. Mr Afif was also involved. In Seychelles, the COI, Rim Association Nation who took their cues lopsided - the important relevance of that Program in Regional economic working and world - Seychelles was very importantly involved - in Europe our Diaspora manged this - we pleaded, begged and lobby nobody listened - this program have the capacity to get the IMF/World Bank involved in nation's economy what ensued and the economic deterioration in the region and Seychelles with the IMF/World Bank involved.)To offset/make up for the many short falls how our government have been then going/reverting to seeking help for the EU, UN others their explanation - being paid to lie/cover up. Sir Jams Mancham began in 1993 addressing some of these anomalies, strange issues/topics and events in his lectures and books - he has not been bold enough to be blunt about them.

Presidential election 2015 - Sifco urges respect for diverging political views

14-December-2015
The Seychelles Interfaith Council (Sifco) has called on all citizens of Seychelles to continue to take part in the electoral process in a spirit of calm, dignity and respect for the divergence of opinions and political views, as these are part of our fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The message from Sifco comes a few days before people go to the polls again in the second round of the presidential election scheduled for December 16, 17 and 18.
In the first round which took place from December 3-5, none of the six candidates managed to pull off the 50% plus one vote for an outright majority.
The two candidates contesting the second round of this election are James Michel of Parti Lepep and Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National party (SNP) after
they secured the highest number of votes (28,911 for Mr Michel and 21,391 for Mr Ramkalawan) in the first round.
In a communiqué dated December 10, 2015, the Sifco says:
“The people of Seychelles have demonstrated time and time again their maturity and peaceful nature.
“We appeal to supporters of all major political parties,  as well as the police and armed forces to refrain from any verbal or physical acts of provocation that can lead to violence and bodily harm. The use of alcohol in public places should be avoided as much as possible during this period.
“We call upon the state media to continue to educate the citizens regarding their rights and responsibilities and to report in an unbiased manner the events as they unfold.
“We urge all citizens of Seychelles to exercise their right to vote based on their own conscience, discretion and good judgement without any fear and without succumbing to pressure of any kind. Do not exchange your vote or your right to vote for any gifts, favours or money.
“We are all finally responsible to God, and God alone for all our actions. Peace will be achieved when we have unity among us. We pray for His blessing and His guidance at this important period in our country’s history. Peace will be achieved when we have unity among us.
“God, Bless us and guide us always.”
The Sifco is made up of representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Baha’i Faith,  Islamic Centre for Information and Guidance, Hindu Council of Seychelles, Orthodox Church, Zoroastrian Faith, Seychelles Buddhist Association, Seychelles Evangelical Alliance.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247831

Eleksyon prezidansyel 2015
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247839

Seychelles’ first ambassador accredited to Kenya
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247834

https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse/videos/10153957561719238/

SADC Election Observer Mission at State House

15-December-2015


‘We have a responsibility to show the world we are serious about our democratic processes’

The head of the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) has said as members of the SADC in the region we all have a responsibility to show ourselves, our children and grandchildren as well as the rest of the world that we are serious about our democratic processes.
Ms Nyeleti Mondlane made the remark after meeting President James Michel who is also one of the candidates in the second round of the presidential election which starts tomorrow.  
Ms Mondlane said the democratic institutions are working well, we should show everyone that we will respect the outcomes of the election and look to the future.
“As SADC observers we have best practices to which SADC members ascribed to. Let’s keep those best practices as what we want to work for for the future,” she said.
Ms Mondlane said so far the atmosphere prior to the election is calm and peaceful and no incidence of violence has been reported to them and she called on the people of Seychelles and all parties to keep it that way.
As has been the case with all stakeholders Ms Mondlane welcomed the opportunity to meet President Michel, who is also the leader of a political party running in the election, to talk about the very same things they have talked about with the other leaders.
She said they wanted to get his views on the election process, share with him their mission and discuss their role as election observers and to reassure him of their commitment to their mission.
The SEOM had already issued a statement on their observations of the first round of voting earlier this month and Ms Mondlane said the group will do the same after the forthcoming run-off which starts tomorrow.
She once again praised the Seychellois people for their great sense of maturity displayed during the first round of the election process where they went to vote peacefully and everyone, including the political parties, accepted the outcome of the first round calmly, peacefully and with a lot of dignity.
“We are hoping that the people of Seychelles and all the political parties at the highest level ensure that the same attitude continues and we are confident that this is going to happen,” Ms Mondlane pointed out.
Recognising the fact that the young people have an important role to play in ensuring that the election process goes well, Ms Mondlane said based on feedback from the young people themselves as well as from stakeholders, their approach to the process is a responsible one.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247848

Last Political Party Broadcast in the 2nd Round on National TV - Linyon Sanzman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr_Yv9T9DD8

Electoral Commission calls for respect of ‘cooling off’ period


17-December-2015
It is an offence for people to hang around or remain in the vicinity of a polling station once they have voted and the police have been asked to prevent this from happening.

Representatives of political parties have also been asked to respect the cooling off period.

“It is illegal to remain in the vicinity of a polling station after voting and this should stop,” the chairman of the Electoral Commission Hendrick Gappy said yesterday.

This follows reports from some stations that people were campaigning while in the queue and lingering around the polling station after voting.

Mr Gappy said this too is an offence and the Electoral Commission (EC) has called on the police to be on the alert and to ensure any such actions are stopped and that people queuing up to vote, do so quietly and calmly.

Following reports received by the EC that supporters of both parties were not fully respecting the cooling off period, Mr Gappy said they have called on representatives of both parties to talk to their supporters and to respect regulations.

Meanwhile in terms of inconsistencies with regard to election processes and procedures reported from some polling stations during the first round of voting on December 5 which caused voting and subsequently vote counting to drag into the early hours of the morning, Mr Gappy said these are being addressed and polling agents’ roles have been re-emphasised and it is expected that voting and counting of votes will be faster on the main polling day.

With regard to the number of people who will be travelling abroad early over the next three days and who had turned up with their travel documents to vote at the special station at English River early yesterday morning Mr Gappy said the number was more than expected.

“A separate table had to be set up to accommodate them,” he said.

He noted that these people the EC did not know their numbers and their names were on the master register only compared to those voters who will be working in essential services.

Meanwhile Mr Gappy noted that 5,457 persons are expected to vote in the first two days of voting in the special stations, the largest part being police officers compared to the first round where the number was a little over 4,100.

At Ile Perseverance, a little over 2,000 persons qualified to vote from some 3,700 citizens whose names feature on the list. From the number who qualify to vote, there are those who have been registered to vote at English River under essential services leaving some 1,933 expected to cast their vote at Ile Perseverance, Mr Gappy pointed out.

On the outer islands an estimated 250 persons were expected to cast their votes yesterday and another 150 today on the second day of voting on the outer islands.

On Silhouette 209 people cast their votes yesterday compared to 194 in the first round of voting.

Apart from a large group of 75 people from Mahe who came to cast their votes on Silhouette at around 10am, there were not many people in the queue during the time that the polling station was opened between 9am and 1pm.

Our journalist/photographer who covered voting there described the atmosphere as calm and without incidents.

The last person, a young lady, cast her vote at 1pm.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247869

Round two voting underway
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247870

Vote in konmanse dan dezyenm tour
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247871

Friday December 18 a public holiday

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247868

A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE YET AGAIN
Wavel Ramkalawan and his united opposition won the Seychelles Presidential election held on The 18th of December 2015! We can therefore rightfully call him President Wavel Ramkalawan. Following a highly dubious recount under extremely strange circumstances, what was originally a victory of over 400 votes for President Ramkalawan, was overturned by a recount at Anse Aux Pins which suddenly conjured up an extra 600 votes to give James Michel a “win” by 200 votes. Something stinks very badly here and as usual the stink comes from Michel and his crew. Could it be that some of Michel’s “fish plantations” have started to rot?

Let us examine the history and the evidence behind Michel and his “Parti Lepep”. On the 5th of June 1977, led by France Albert Rene, Michel and a group of thugs overthrew the democratically elected government of President James Mancham in which Rene himself was the Prime Minister. There was never any justification for that act of treason. They established a one party state dictatorship that wrecked the economy of our islands and the IMF had to be called in to restore some financial order. They imprisoned, exiled and killed their political opponents. Their brutal grip on the country was maintained as a one party state until 1992 when, as the iron curtain crumbled in Europe, President George Herbert Walker Bush and Prime Minister John Major forced Albert Rene to restore multi party elections in the Seychelles. The dictator had no option but to comply, after boasting that he would never allow a multi party democracy to wreck the “unity” that his one party state had cultivated in Seychelles. He was made to swallow his own vomit!

Those first “multi party” elections were won by Rene’s SPPF party after widespread rigging of the entire election process. They used state assets such as vehicles and buildings for the purposes of their party. They used the state controlled media for their own propaganda. They used state funds to bribe voters with cash and all sorts of other merchandise. Evidence is now surfacing that they manipulated the voters’ roll so that dead people and people who had left the country had “voted” for them. Those fraudulent methods were repeatedly used in other consequent elections that seriously undermined the ability of the opposition to put up a fair fight. The scales were always tipped in favour of the fraudsters. During that time they constantly changed their name perhaps in a vain attempt to distance themselves from the filth of the SPUP and the SPPF. However we all know that a leopard can never change its spots.

Oppressing, cheating, lying, deceiving, manipulating, violence, corrupting, thieving, extorting and even killing are the foundations on which this notorious Parti Lepep is built. It is embedded deep in their DNA. Integrity, honesty, professionalism and fair play are concepts that are anathema to them. The PL is not a political party; it is a cult where the leader is adored like a deity.

In spite of all their cheating, vote buying and other machinations, this time Wavel Ramkalawan, Pat Pillay, Alexia Amesbury and Philippe Boulle formed a formidable team that managed to create a groundswell movement that actually toppled the PL. The majority of the people of Seychelles blessed with intelligence and vision and who voted for the opposition broke that glass ceiling on the 18th of December and elected a new President, Wavel Ramkalawan. That result was too much for the PL. They cannot bear to give up power for fear of all their sins being investigated and divulged by a new transparent government. So they resorted to the thing that they do best – they cheated again.

The opposition should not accept that result. They should contest it with every fibre of their being and for that they will get the full support of over 50% of the population of Seychelles who voted legitimately for them. They should use every possible means of peaceful protest to make their voices heard. I would even suggest that they should call on their supporters to assist in a three-day general, national strike and sustain that every two weeks until this issue is resolved fairly. Nelson Mandela used that to wonderful effect in South Africa.

The PL and its charlatan leaders are discredited and have no legal or moral authority to govern our country. The majority voted them out on the 18th of December 2015.

Congratulations to the Union for Change for a brilliant victory.
By Ralph and Josette Hoarau.

Today in Seychelles
21 hrs · Victoria, Seychelles
The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission are as follows: Total votes cast: 63,893, votes rejected:1062.
James Michel : 31,512
Wavel Ramkalawan : 31,319
The EC has declared James Michel the winner of the 2015 Presidential election. There is a difference of 193 votes between the two candidates.
SNP leader Wavel Ramkalawan says he does not accept the results and has asked for a recount.
The votes cast at Anse aux Pins remain an issue and the SNP has not signed the documents validating the count.
He told observers they had not observed an election but "an auctioning".
More on Monday

Comment - The Judge EJ Stiven and Kent Farmer's Manure ( again very glad I took those ;pictures and the many many tractor loads of Farmers Manure they dumped in the filed close b y and why - meaning) - meaning the issues related/involved is worse/deeper. Those monitoring that election their attitude - in Old Seychelles we would say get a group of gorillas and baboon teach then how to intimidate the mass and crowd and they believe they are monitoring an election - had we to go to court will explain to the Judge/bench what we mean and imply. We also request Hon Wavel Wankalawan to stand firm - should he just give in we will be force to publish working relation between and our greater Seychelles exile - we would respect if we were not forced to do this. We have many from the European Union watching this ongoing/debacle because after the election we will be force to battle on with EU about President J A Michel and his government - Equally important remind many in Seychelles and state house we have been involved that in mighty China those who get prosecuted and in China what happens. We had been requested to visit the Bundestag - we are very pleased we had hesitated - instead went to a very old fashion Jewish coffee place next to the Old synagogue and poured part of my life story on the attendant and she is an East Berlin person. We sat and did a great deal of thinking about President FA Rene and the current election and its eventual outcome. Former chancellor Helmut Schmidt had important Jewish connections - his funeral in Hamburg. Very many important thematic he never hare with the rest of the world. and that coffee we drank instead today. I also went somewhere and we talk about Seychelles link relation with then Honecker of East Germany and later his replacement why and how he was chosen - my person was involved in that process - until the Wall fell - May be President F Mitterrand had been very right/correct - his accusation of my person should never had gotten involved and help/contributed to Germany Reunification. What happened to France in the process - Instead of helping/lending u a helping hand to rewrite/edit that sirop.webs.com site and the resources they have. The mega thematic of the Treuhand and much more related/linked to that Program. Those who have offered to rework that program whatever happens in Seychelles Presidential election. Those who study/represent greater science/thematic of world and Germany respective working the Dome Cathedral in East Germany and the burial place of the Hohenzollern Royal Families. What they ought to know just as the Romanov dynasty events and developments. http://www.berlinerdom.de/content/view/32/114/lang,de/

SBC SEYCHELLES - Presidential Election 18-DEC-2015 [R2] - RESULTS - their lies and utter dishonesty they blocked the online viewing, No online radio or TV last night at least from East Berlin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsywhmLGfok&sns=fb

Presidential election 2015 – second round

18-December-2015
Michel wins again



James Michel 50.15%
Wavel Ramkalawan 49.85%

James Michel has won the second round of the presidential election to be re-elected for a third and final five-year presidential term and he has dedicated this victory to the Seychellois people whom he has vowed to serve.
The Parti Lepep leader polled a total 31,512 or 50.15% of the popular vote to beat Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) who got 31,319 or 49.85%.
The margin of victory is 193 votes and this has decreased compared to 2011 when it was over 8,000.
Mr Michel, who succeeded France Albert René as President upon the retirement of the latter in April 2004, was first elected to the highest office in July 2006 and was re-elected in May 2011 and now for a third time in December 2015.
“The people have spoken and made their decision. They want to continue on this same path of progress. This election has tested the political maturity of Seychellois democracy and after not one candidate could get the majority in the first round, we did in the second,” said President Michel who has thanked all his supporters, activists for all their hard work.
He also focused on the need for all to work together for the benefit of our country Seychelles.
After the announcement of the result, Parti Lepep supporters took to the streets to celebrate victory and President Michel has said they will organise a motorcade today starting at 1.30pm.
A total of 70,943 people were eligible to vote in all the 25 electoral areas to choose who between incumbent President James Michel of Parti Lepep and former leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party will occupy the country’s highest office.
The total number of votes cast was 63,893 and the total in favour was 62,831. Therefore, a total of 1,062 votes were not in favour. The voter turnout was 90.1% and Les Mamelles had the highest turnout of 96.5% or 2,324 in a voting population of 2,408.
The Inner Islands with a voting population of 1,989 saw only 1,511 cast their votes as this was the lowest percentage of 76% among all 25 districts, but coincidentally it is where Parti Lepep pulled off its biggest score of 69.97%.
Mr Michel won in 13 districts – Anse Aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Royale, Baie Ste Anne, Cascade, English River, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caïman and Takamaka.
As for Mr Ramkalawan he won in Anse Etoile, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Glacis, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, and St Louis.
Mr Ramkalawan registered his biggest score – 58.79% – in St Louis.
For Mr Ramkalawan this was the fifth unsuccessful attempt to capture the State House after also suffering defeats in 1998 (to former President France Albert Rene), 2001 (to former President France Albert Rene), 2006 (to incumbent President James Michel) and 2011 (to incumbent President James Michel).
He described the election as an “auction” as he said “it was a matter of how much was paid out to voters”.
Mr Ramkalawan, who said that he does not accept the results of this election, explained that all these irregularities have been placed before the electoral commission.
This is also the first time in the history of Seychelles that a president is elected into office after a run-off.
After none of the six candidates got the required 50 percent plus one votes that was needed for an outright majority during the first round of voting from December 3-5, a second round was needed to decide between the two highest vote getters
Mr Michel got 47.76% in the first round and Mr Ramkalawan 35.33%.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247875

‘Each country needs its own model of freedom of information’
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247896


Courte victoire pour le président Michel
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247876



Eleksyon Prezidansyel 2015 - Reaksyon bann kandida apre ki zot ti’n vote Vandredi
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247874

Presidential election 2015 – second round - Voting a smooth, fast process
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247873

Kouran i koupe lo Mahé apre ki dibwa i tonm lo laliny

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247895

Seychelles’ presidency

James Michel sworn in for third term Following his victory in the presidential election held here on Friday, President-elect James A. Michel was sworn into office for a third mandate in a... Read More

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247907

International observer missions present preliminary report

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247900

Opinion - National reconciliation imperative for a happier and more stable Seychelles

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247897

Presidential election 2015

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247903

EC to meet today to discuss Ramkalawan’s recount request
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247905

Uniting Seychellois!
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247906

Presidential election 2015 – SNP candidate Wavel Ramkalawan’s request for a recount

22-December-2015
‘Any recount has to be by way of a petition before the Constitutional Court’

Any recount, question or review of the result of a presidential election or any election has to be by way of a petition before the Constitutional Court.
Electoral commission chairman Hendrick Gappy said this yesterday morning when addressing journalists at the commission’s headquarters at the National Library.
Also present were chief electoral officer Charles Morin and chief registration officer Lorna Lepathy.
Mr Gappy said the electoral commission has received two letters addressed from Seychelles National Party’s Wavel Ramkalawan, the party’s candidate in the second round of the presidential election held from December 16-18, 2015.
The first letter dated December 18, 2015 requested for a national recount of the votes, and the second dated December 20, 2015 informed the electoral commission that he (Mr Ramkalawan) was to file a petition before the Constitutional Court yesterday challenging the result of the election on the ground that James Michel of Parti Lepep did not receive more than 50% of the votes in the election.
The electoral commission chairman said “in line with the Elections Act, any recount, question or review of the result of a presidential election or any election, has to be by way of a petition before the Constitutional Court”.
He added that the “Elections Act prevents the electoral commission from handling the ballot papers, boxes and documents used in this election for a period of three months unless the court directs otherwise”.
“The electoral commission will be guided by the decision of the Constitutional Court,” noted Mr Gappy.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247916

SNP explores legal avenues to contest presidential election results
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247915

Ministers sworn in
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247930

Mancham’s vision for humanity receives worldwide recognition
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247920

Voter’s register to be open to the public as from December 28

28-December-2015





The national voter’s register will open in all registration centres on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue as from Monday December 28, 2015.
The centres will be operational from 9am until 3pm everyday except weekends and public holidays.
Members of the public can also check their details on the register at the Electoral Commission’s headquarters at the National Cultural Centre (National Library) from 8am to 4pm.
The Electoral Commission of Seychelles is strongly calling on all voters to go and register or check their names and personal information in an effort to update the voter’s register as it will close when another election is announced.
Updating of the voter’s register is an important exercise and all eligible voters residing in Seychelles are requested to register or check their names and verify other personal details.
A second time around this exercise is being done throughout the year as per the revised Elections Act.
The commission has set up regional registration centres on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to decentralise this service and facilitate this exercise for voters.
The chief registration officer, Lorna Lepathy, said this is particularly important for young voters turning 18 years of age as their names are not automatically added to the register.
“The call now is for everybody, irrespective of whether they were able to vote in the last election or not, to come and check their name on the register of voters. A special call to come and register also goes to those turning 18 or who have turned 18 recently and who could not vote during the last election as their names did not feature on the register,” she said.
“Anybody who has changed their names by marriage or divorce or other, come and do the formalities of changing your name on the register of voters,” she added.
According to the law a valid national identification card (ID) is needed to register or check your name on the voter’s register.
Those who have made changes to their names or address are advised to bring documents such as a certificate of marriage or divorce as proof.
Eligible voters living abroad need their ID and passport as proof that they have been living in Seychelles for over three months.
The registration centres are based in the district administration office of the following districts: Anse Aux Pins (which covers the electoral areas of Anse Aux Pins, Pointe Larue and Cascade); Anse Royale (which covers the electoral areas of  Anse Royale, Au Cap and Takamaka); Beau Vallon (which covers Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre and Glacis); Anse Boileau (which covers Anse Boileau, Baie Lazare, Grand Anse Mahé and Port Glaud); Baie St Anne Praslin (covering Baie Ste Anne and Grand Anse Praslin); La Digue (covering La Digue and the inner islands).
The centre based at the Electoral Commission headquarters at the National Cultural Centre (National Library) covers the electoral areas of Anse Etoile, Bel Air, English River, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Roche Caiman and St Louis as well as all other electoral areas.


http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247964

Faire son bilan de l’année 2015 et préparer 2016

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247960

‘Crazy’ festive promotion at Ramajayam Dockland Supermarket

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247961

Ramkalawan asks Court to order a third ballot

A first petition contesting the election results was filed yesterday with Wavel Ramkalawan asking the Constitutional Court to declare null and void the results of the Presidential runoff and the subsequent “election” of James Michel. The Seychelles National Party (SNP) alleges that the Electoral Commission wrongly calculated the results and that there was no winner in the second round.



Representatives of Union for Change and their legal team after filing their first petition yesterday.

The Presidential candidate of the Seychelles National Party (SNP), Wavel amkalawan yesterday filed a first petition under Article 130 of the Constitution, contesting the results of the Presidential runoff held on 16, 17 and 18 December.

The petition filed by lawyer Bernard Georges yesterday morning, averred that the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Hendrick Gappy was wrong to award a certificate of election to James Michel, declaring him the winner of the 2015 Presidential election, since no candidate won more than 50% of the votes in the runoff.

The SNP is therefore asking the Court to order the Electoral Commission to hold “further ballot/s until such time as a single candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the election”.

This argument is based on the premise that the announcement of the percentage of votes allocated to contender James Michel was incorrect; therefore the certificate of election issued to Mr Michel “was erroneous, improper and illegal”.  

The petition explains that based on the calculation of votes cast, Mr Michel received 49.319% and not 50.15% as stated by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Hendrick Gappy when he proclaimed the results.

The petition says that the total votes cast were 63,893 and that the total votes cast in favour (valid votes) were 62,831 while 1062 votes were rejected. James Michel won 31,512 votes while Wavel Ramkalawan was said to have won 31,319 votes.

“The Chairman of the Electoral Commission immediately thereafter publicly announced that the petitioner had received 4.85% of the votes and the second respondent (James Michel) has scored 50.15% of the total votes cast”, paragraph 14 of the petition averred.

Following this, the petition says, Mr Gappy “acting purportedly under paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 of the Constitution, presented the second respondent with a certificate of election, declaring that the second respondent was duly elected to the office of President”.

But Mr Ramkalawan avers that “the said announcement was incorrect and the certificate was erroneous, improper and illegal”

Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ramkalawan’s lawyer, Bernard Georges said that “we want the Constitutional Court to interpret clearly what the Constitution says regarding the calculation of percentage of votes in the runoff of the Presidential election”.

The issue is that the Constitution makes mention of “votes” and the Elections Act makes mention of “votes cast” and is explained further in the petition.

“Based on a calculation of the votes cast - whether rejected or not - and the figures compiled by the first respondent (the Electoral Commission) itself, (...) the second respondent (James Michel) has in fact only received 49.319% of the votes cast in the second ballot”.

Mr Georges told TODAY that “we are alleging that if the percentage had been calculated correctly, none of the two candidates would have received the amount necessary to be elected President, in this case 50% plus one, therefore the election should be declared null and void”.

The petition is asking the Court to declare that the Constitution has been contravened, to declare that James Michel has only received 49.319% of the votes, to declare null and void the certificate of election issued to James Michel by Hendrick Gappy and to order the Electoral Commission to hold further ballots until a candidate obtains more than 50% of the votes cast.

The petition which will be heard by the Constitutional Court has to be served on three respondents, namely the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, James Michel and the Attorney General.

Lawyer Bernard Georges explained the choice of respondents by saying that it was “Mr Gappy who made the mistake in the calculation”. James Michel is also a respondent as “he stands to be affected by the ruling”.

Mr Georges said he expects the court to serve the petition on the three parties today at the latest. “Naturally I do not expect them to accept the petition and they will surely prepare their defense to counter our claim”.

The timing of the case is at this point uncertain as Mr Georges explains that under the law, the respondents would need to be given time to prepare their defense. He said that it will only be then that a date will be fixed for the hearing and a panel of judges chosen to hear the petition.

“We have been informed by the Court that the case will be given due consideration and we expect it to be given priority although we cannot confirm at this point when the hearing will start”, said Mr Georges.

To note that all courts are presently in recess and will resume during the second week of January.

Mr Georges also confirmed that a second petition will be filed next week requesting that the results of the Presidential runoff be declared null and void, based on irregularities recorded on polling day. “The Election petition will have two components; firstly it will outline all the irregularities which took place and secondly it will call for a recount of the votes”, he said.

Mr Georges added that the legal team was still gathering evidence for the second petition and will be ready to file it on Monday 4 January. Both petitions will be heard by the Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, Wavel Ramkalawan has called on all opposition supporters to “remain calm and let justice take its course”.

Mr Ramkalawan said that the Union for Change movement will be keeping supporters updated and called on them to be ready for the hearing once the case starts “as it is not just us leaders who should be participating and following the case, but all the 31,319 persons who voted for the opposition in the runoff ”.

The result of the Presidential runoff was declared in the early hours of December 19, giving SNP, 49.85% of the total votes cast and 50.15% to Parti Lepep. Mr Gappy has so far refused to comment on the allegations of error in the calculation of votes.



Source: Today.sc 12-29-15

http://seychellesweekly.com/December%2028,%202015/headline2_ramkalawan_asks_court.html


SEYCHELLES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBACLE; MAURITIAN LAWYER DEPORTED
http://seychellesvoice.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/seychelles-presidential-election.html

http://seychellesweekly.com/December%2028,%202015/pol1a_deportation_of_mauritian.html

Déporté des Seychelles: «Des prétextes des plus farfelus pour me refouler», dit Bhuckory
http://www.lexpress.mu/article/273620/deporte-seychelles-pretextes-plus-farfelus-pour-refouler-dit-bhuckory

Comment Facebook - Mitchel J Edmond Does President J A Michel remembers the making of this film - why this film was made in the first place - the one percent in Seychelles who may remember and the millions of human across the world who may know something many time we have addressed our capacity to bring to the attention of the world and pubic be it books, plays or film - 2012 Seychelles government of J A Michel of course Miss Robert have acted in Pretty Woman and several other films and the why's/ Those learned Judges, members of the Bench, police , army and election observers - it i also our approach of teaching to the who forget or refuse to learn - what they say about Talibans - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_Mirror_(film)

We commented - please note that litter of piglets back in 2009 were not saddle-backs, in real life you get more talking for this kind of piglets let alone saddle back than those so call Illuminati of Seychelles government - as such the many involved in President J A Michel government they would like to think/call themselves as Illuminati they are like that litter of piglets. This is why in the past we refused to share anything with the - to all those who can read Germany in Seychelles we are posting this link - https://buergerstimme.com/Design2/


https://de.wikipedia.org/.../St.-Johannes-Evangelist...

Over the years have addressed the challenges of reintroducing our Seychelles ancestral values back this was not just the work of Seychelles government - a situation ex Communist en-devouring to bring back re introduce our ancestral values. The methodology of Communist and One party society/politic and that of multi party - they are two complete different animals - in their many aspects. In Europe Continent from centuries they have put into place system and way of doing things, working - when we related with you in Seychelles is is normal that we use and refer to this practice. Yet the vast many in Seychelles who/you pretend you do not understand. Everybody in Europe know there are vast many ways to impact and influence an election - Presidential or otherwise. - the EU Institutions is very aware too. The Vatican and Europe other important Institutions - for the past 15 years EU Tax payers money have been used to help balance Seychelles Budget - the belief/argument to help in greater democratic process/evolution - This is OK/fine - when our Community apply greater European values in the Presidential election and other the reaction. We stress our Community in Europe played a key role in that Seychelles change and events and developments the past 25 years - this/current situation could not continue - something had to be done drastically - we went to Berlin the combined opposition won the second round even by the narrow margin - the government and others realized this they blocked the internet and TV /Radio communication with the outside world and did their dirty deed. We had also lent a hand that the first round of voting and the political Groups involved come forward and their final decisiion. Where in Europe its relevant institutions would take due note in Seychelels they belive thi is irrelevant and they have takne to developing their own hybreed of Justice system. Had we the exiles and Migrants the outcome of this Presidentiual when/those who want to drag us to counrt had better take good note - the methods other nations uses to get their voice heard - we have not. Those in Seycheles who believe we are irrelevant, have no rights - there are much more important possibilities available in Europe to change that Seychelles and we will use it. http://seychellesweekly.com/.../headline2_ramkalawan_asks...

La CDWS présente son rapport préliminaire


La présidente de l’ONG Citizens Democracy Watch Seychelles (CDWS), Eline Moses a présenté, ce lundi, les premiers éléments du rapport préliminaire post-électoral du second tour des élections présidentielles 2015.
Cette présentation s’est déroulée dans la salle de conférence de CEPS, à Orion Mall, en présence de représentants des partis politiques, de la commission électorale des Seychelles, du corps diplomatique accrédité, du SIFCO (Seychelles Interfaith Council), des citoyens, des médias et observateurs locaux.
Selon l’ONG CDWS,elle s’est plus concentrée sur les dysfonctionnements signalés par les citoyens que sur le processus global du déroulement des élections. Cela pousse l’ONG à porter sa réflexion sur sa distanciation par rapport aux élections. Aussi, en collaboration avec ARID (Association for Rights, Information and Democracy), CDWS souhaite se focaliser sur les détails, qui ont toute leur importance, afin de mieux mener leur mission pendant les élections. D’ailleurs, il a été mentionné que des leçons sont à tirer, encore, pour mieux préparer les prochaines élections législatives qui se tiendront en 2016.
Consciente de leur position difficile et critique, la présidente de CDWS Eline Moses a présenté les premiers éléments du rapport préliminaire de leur mission d’observation. Elle a rappelé que le second tour des élections présidentielles aux Seychelles s’est déroulé du 16 au 18 décembre, suite au premier tour qui a eu lieu du 3 au 5 décembre 2015.
Depuis l’annonce des élections en octobre 2015, les équipes d’observateurs formés de CDWS ont commencé leur mission. Elles se sont rapprochées des acteurs clés, ont assisté aux campagnes des partis, ont observé les cortèges de voitures, ont surveillé les  publications des médias et ont échangé avec les observateurs étrangers. La mission ne s’est pas cantonnée à la surveillance des bureaux de vote, mais a aussi été à l’écoute des plaintes des citoyens via la hotline prévue à cet effet.
Par ailleurs, comme requis par la loi locale, l’ordre d’apparition des noms des candidats et les campagnes télévisées ont été déterminés par tirage au sort, en toute transparence, en présence des médias, de la commission électorale, de CDWS et des parties en lice.
Les différents acteurs et CDWS sont d’accord sur la nécessité d’inclure une clause pour préciser les dates d’élections présidentielles et parlementaires au niveau de la Constitution et des lois électorales. Cette recommandation soulève, déjà, une limitation du droit seychellois par rapport aux élections. Le déroulement de ce second tour a mis en lumière le besoin de mieux préciser certains « vides juridiques » entourant la tenue de cette récente élection.
De même, l’ONG considère qu’il y a un réel effort à faire concernant l’éducation civique et politique des citoyens seychellois, afin de permettre la création d’une base encore plus solide de la démocratie et de la bonne gouvernance. Elle salue le travail de la commission électorale en ce sens. Tout de même, elle mentionne que les informations civiques délivrées aux votants étaient inadéquates. CDWS propose une meilleure concertation avec la société civile pour définir un programme d’éducation adapté.
Pour les registres de votants, à l’issue de nombreuses plaintes, CDWS recommande la création d’une liste supplémentaire pour les primo votants atteignant l’âge légal au moment des élections.  
Pendant la campagne électorale, CDWS a relevé des intimidations, que ce soit du côté d’un parti ou de l’autre.  Le premier tour des élections, n’étant pas concluant, a généré de la tension et de l’anxiété au niveau des supporters des deux parties en présence, Parti Lepep et Seychelles National Party (SNP). De nombreux incidents, comme des violences physiques et verbales, des provocations directes, des menaces, des tentatives d’intimidation, des insultes, l’utilisation d’un langage abusif et inapproprié, des discours haineux…ont « truffé », la brève deuxième campagne électorale. L’incident d’échange d’argent autour de cartes d’identité signalé par CDWS à Providence, appuie, aussi, la mince marge de manœuvre dont dispose la commission électorale dans ce cas précis, souligne CDWS. Le pouvoir de sanction qui lui est attribué nécessite une meilleure définition par rapport aux lois électorales et au code de conduite de la commission.
L’annonce des résultats et la longue attente a créé de la suspicion. CDWS propose qu’à l’issue du décompte des bulletins de vote, chaque bureau de vote proclame ses résultats selon la procédure requise.
L’ONG a noté un déséquilibre de la répartition du temps de parole via les médias, elle recommande une impartialité et un arbitrage de la commission des médias pour une prochaine élection.
Pour les personnes âgées et les déshabilités, le vote à bulletin secret n’est pas au point. Cette partie de la population doit aussi pouvoir voter comme les autres.
CDWS appelle à une vigilance dans la conduite des votants et des partis politiques. De bonnes pratiques interdisant les insultes et les menaces devront être définies.
En conclusion, CDWS estime que les élections se sont déroulées conformément d’un point de vue légal. La présidente tient à remercier les observateurs, leurs familles et tous ceux qui les ont soutenus pendant cette période électorale riche d’événements et à la fois délicate.
A signer qu’un recours de la part du Seychelles National Party est déjà devant la Cour Constitutionnelle.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247981

https://youtu.be/DQQnIR4xvwQ

Comment - When the world reads such conclusion what do they say - From our EU and global Seychelles Community prospective - most of our ONG very corrupted Benchmark and yet what  they write - they have been educated by the system.  Many of these ONG are controlled and manipulated by the government  and the ruling party.

Culture : Héritage Takamaka invité en France

30-December-2015

C’est sur les atouts artistiques et culturels que le Comité Culturel de Takamaka a surtout misé pour que le village du sud de Mahé remporte le prix du meilleur district culturel des Seychelles au début de ce mois.
Parmi ces richesses, on peut citer de nombreux exemples tant au niveau de son héritage naturel, bâti, artistique que vivant.
A niveau naturel, ce sanctuaire souvent encore dans son état pur a été béni de sans doute le plus grand nombre de plages aux Seychelles, dix-sept au total. Pendant le vent du sud-est entre les mois de mai et octobre – période qui représente également l’hiver austral – deux de ces anses disparaissent malheureusement sous les vagues. Une située entre Anse Intendance et Anse Takamaka, et l’autre entre  Anse Marie Louise et Capucins, c’est sans doute ces six mois d’absence qui font qu’elles semblent n’avoir jamais été baptisées, du moins officiellement. Pour celles portant un nom, les citer une après l’autre suffit à faire rêver tout touriste potentiel : Bougainville, Petite Parnel, Anse Parnel, Anse Forbans, Anse Marie-Louise,  Petite Marie-Louise, Capucins, Petit Boileau, Police Bay, Petite Police, Bazarka, Anse Corail, Anse Cachée, Intendance et Anse Takamaka.
On dénombre également plusieurs sites naturels à la fois uniques et attirants. Parmi : Roche Cap Maçon, Roche Pigeon, Roche Chaudière, sans compter ses nombreuses rivières comme Sipion et Caryol et les montagnes comme Pierre Henri et le village traditionnel et unique de Dan Penpen, situé dans les hauts entre Takamaka et le village voisin de Baie Lazare.
Les eaux de Takamaka sont riches en bancs de pèche tels Rocher, Corail Mondon, Tokos et Maruia. Il n’est guère surprenant que c’est également un village de pêche où les pécheurs expérimentés viennent s’ajouter aux nombreux ouvriers traditionnels comme les planteurs de tubercules, maçons, charpentiers ou autres artisans.
Si ces artisans sont les maîtres d’œuvre d’un artisanat varié parmi lequel s’illustraient autrefois la fabrication de pirogues ou les paniers en bambous et s’illustrent encore celle de sacs en vacoas et de rideau en rafia, les maçons et charpentiers ont créé un héritage bâti digne de période coloniale et à trouver  nulle part ailleurs. Fièrement debout sur la colline des Quatre Bornes est l’église de Sainte Marie Madeleine, entourée de part le village d’au moins une douzaine de maisons traditionnelles relativement bien gardées, des ruines d’Anse Corail et de Capucins, la grande croix de Maravi, la station de police, le phare de Grand Police sans oublier le calorifère et l’ancien et l’actuel cimetière de Takamaka.
L’héritage artistique et vivant de Takamaka offre parmi les meilleurs danseurs de kanmtole et chanteuses de romance du pays. Au niveau de la musique et de la chanson, des belles voix telles Raymond Libanotis, Jeanette Bristol et Jahmi y brillent encore. Les succès nationaux comme Ion kid, Chico et Sandra sont aussi originaires de Takamaka. A ne pas également oublier les anciens comme Ange Bristol, Antoine Dodin, Archange Mirabeau et le défunt Gabby qui circulait avec sa triangle, et les groupes comme ‘Sidonie and the Nightingales’, ‘Ravazer’,  ‘Darc Clowds’, ‘Kazak’ et plus récemment ‘Storm’.
Takamaka est aussi berceau d’un grand groupe de poètes et d’écrivains seychellois, et parmi des plus belles plumes du pays: Leu Mancienne, Bernard Valentin, Michel Savy, Justin Valentin, Tony Joubert mieux connu comme Ras Pyek, Vincent Milihius, Aryiel Bonne et peut-être d’autres.
Dans le cadre de sa participation au Concours Culturel Interdistrict, Takamaka a réuni beaucoup de ces artistes au sein de l’Héritage Takamaka, la troupe culturelle du village qui est venue remplacer celle qui a cessé d’exister depuis une vingtaine d’années. Malgré seulement quelques spectacles à son actif délivrés au Restaurant rustique et typiquement créole de Chez Baptista, l’écho du folklore renouvelé de Takamaka est déjà arrivé jusqu’en France.
En effet, le consul des Seychelles en Normandie Francis Herbet a invité Héritage Takamaka à participer à la commémoration dans la région française du quarantième anniversaire de l’indépendance des Seychelles, le 29 juin prochain. Ce sera l’occasion pour ces artistes d’assurer la promotion non seulement de Takamaka et ses richesses, mais de toutes les Seychelles en France. M. Herbet a aussi confirmé l’étude en cours d’un projet de jumelage entre Takamaka et le district voisin d’Anse Royale avec chacun une ville normande.
A part la préparation pour la sortie en France, le Comite Culturel de Takamaka s’apprête à changer de statut pour devenir une Organisation non-gouvernementale (ONG) qui portera également le nom d’Héritage Takamaka. Parmi les prochains grands projets du collectif culturel et artistique qui travaille en étroite collaboration avec son administration de district, comprend la création d’un centre culturel avec salle de spectacle, bibliothèque et espace de travail et de vente pour les artisans.
A noter que la région française de Normandie comprend parmi d’autres, les villes suivantes : Le Havre, Rouen, Evreux, Dieppe, Harfleur, Bernay, Grand Quevilly, Petit Quevilly et Vernon.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247978

“The Role of Small States in Building a Global Community”- Remarks by Minister Jean-Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, Berlin, 20th December 2014

http://www.mfa.gov.sc/static.php?content_id=20&news_id=224

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poJwqiVm3xw

http://www.oyed.org/index.php?an-interview-with-jean-paul-adam-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-seychelles

airberlin and Air Seychelles expand codeshare: flights now on sale to the paradise island of Praslin

https://m.airberlin.com/en-GB/scms/content/show/page/news/page/2013082

Home - news - Seychelles heads to the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin
Seychelles heads to the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin

http://www.pfsr.org/news/seychelles-heads-to-the-itb-tourism-trade-fair-in-berlin/


http://www.airliners.de/air-berlin-und-air-seychelles-kooperieren/29023

https://www.condor.com/de/fluege/seychellen/von-berlin-tegel/index.jsp

http://www.seychellen-infos.de/index.php

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/aug/21/volunteer-holiday-seychelles-coral-diving

Comment - Minister Jean Paul Adam are you aware that Europe is on the verge of a serous global situation - War. The statement you made and the German Public how they feel about the situation in Europe and Germany. Should those in Europe make the smallest mistake, those who interact with them and on their behalf - Europe economy has never been so bad - those who think war is the only way out/solution. The Christmas Tree before the Brandenburg and Bundestag Chancellor Helmut Schmidt passing away - trust you are/can be as wise as he was and knowledgeable -

Please please we/my person was involved in bringing that Bundestag to Berlin from Bonn and the selection of the Architect to rebuild that great Historic building  - the terrible politic associated with it inquire of those who know. The rebuilding of the Central Station  and  whole lot of redevelopment and new architectures - the EU Central Bank Building and contributions in Germany Reunification and Privatization many National government and regional government political developments - the famous Bullet Train debacles with China.

President James Michel’s overseas missions

31-December-2015
Improving Seychelles’ stature on the international front

President James Michel’s foreign forays this year got him a lot of press attention locally and internationally and at the same time they naturally helped to improve Seychelles’ stature on the international front.
The number of times he got on a plane naturally declined following the announcement of the presidential election as he moved his focus to the domestic front – and to an extent this was expected and justifiable.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247996

Presidential election 2015

31-December-2015
Michel beats all odds to be re-elected president


James Michel of Parti Lepep beat all the odds to win the historic and bruising run-off of the presidential election from December 16-18 to be re-elected for a third and final five-year presidential term, while the opposition has petitioned the Constitutional Court for a recount.
The election was historic for another reason as for the first time a woman – human rights lawyer Alexia Amesbury – ran for president and she picked up 832 votes in the first round before joining hands with other opposition leaders in an effort to oust Mr Michel from power.
Dedicating the second round victory to the Seychellois people whom he has vowed to serve, the Parti Lepep leader polled a total 31,512 or 50.15% of the popular vote to beat Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) who got 31,319 or 49.85%.
The margin of victory was just 193 votes and this has decreased considerably compared to 2011 when it was over 8,000.
Mr Michel was sworn in during the afternoon of Sunday December 20 at State House in front of distinguished guests.
Succeeding France Albert René as President upon the retirement of the latter in April 2004, Mr Michel was first elected to the highest office in July 2006 and was re-elected in May 2011 and now for a third time in December 2015.
“Today the people have spoken. Today the people made their choice. They want to continue on this same path of progress that I have commenced ... for me to continue to lead Seychelles forward in stability, peace, and prosperity. This election has tested the political maturity of Seychellois democracy and after not one candidate could get the majority in the first round, we did in the second,” said President Michel.
A total of 70,943 people were eligible to vote in all the 25 electoral areas to choose who between incumbent President Michel of Parti Lepep and former leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party will occupy the country’s highest office.
The total number of votes cast was 63,893 and the total in favour was 62,831. Therefore, a total of 1,062 votes were not in favour. The voter turnout was 90.1% and Les Mamelles had the highest turnout of 96.5% or 2,324 in a voting population of 2,408.
The Inner Islands with a voting population of 1,989 saw only 1,511 cast their votes as this was the lowest percentage of 76% among all 25 districts, but coincidentally it is where Parti Lepep pulled off its biggest score of 69.97%.
Mr Michel won in 13 districts – Anse Aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Royale, Baie Ste Anne, Cascade, English River, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caïman and Takamaka.
As for Mr Ramkalawan he won in Anse Etoile, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Glacis, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, and St Louis.
Mr Ramkalawan registered his biggest score – 58.79% – in St Louis. He got the support of three of the other four opposition leaders under the banner Union for Change (Linyon Sanzman). Only Mr Pierre and his People’s Democratic Movement did not form part of the Union for Change.
For Mr Ramkalawan this was the fifth unsuccessful attempt to capture the State House after also suffering defeats in 1998 (to former President France Albert Rene), 2001 (to former President France Albert Rene), 2006 (to incumbent President James Michel) and 2011 (to incumbent President James Michel).
He described the election as an “auction” as he said “it was a matter of how much was paid out to voters”.
Mr Ramkalawan, who said that he does not accept the results of this election, explained that all these irregularities have been placed before the electoral commission.

First round from December 3-5
After none of the six candidates could pull off the 50% plus one vote for an outright majority in the first round from December 3-5, Seychellois voters had to vote again two weeks later in the historic presidential run-off.
This was the first time since the return of multi-party democracy in Seychelles in 1993 that the presidential election went into a second round and the people had to decide between two candidates – Parti Lepep’s James Michel and Seychelles National Party’s Wavel Ramkalawan – who secured the most votes in the first round.
It was close to 5am on Sunday December 6, 2015 that Electoral Commission chairman Hendrick Gappy announced the results at the commission headquarters at the National Library in the presence of four of the six candidates – Mr Michel, Mr Ramkalawan, Patrick Pillay of Lalyans Seselwa and Alexia Amesbury of the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy.
David Pierre of the Popular Democratic Movement and independent candidate Philippe Boullé were absent.
Out of the 70,943 eligible voters, there were a total of 62,004 votes cast among which 60,538 were valid votes and 1,466 rejected ballots. The voter turnout was 87.4%.
Incumbent President, 71-year-old Michel won 28,911 votes (47.76%), and his closest challenger, 54-year-old Anglican priest Ramkalawan scored 21,391 votes (35.33%).
The scores of the other four candidates in the first round were as follows: Mr Pillay (8,593 votes for 14.19%), Mrs Amesbury (832 votes for 1.37%), Mr Boullé (411 votes for 0.68%) and Mr Pierre (400 votes for 0.66%).
Mr Pillay, a former minister and ambassador in the Parti Lepep government, lawyer Amesbury, the first female presidential candidate in the history of Seychelles, and Mr Pierre, the current leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, were running for the presidency for the first time.
Of the three new entrants, Mr Pillay surely drew away more support from the two main parties – Parti Lepep and Seychelles National Party – with his score of 8,593 votes (14.19%).
This was Mr Boullé’s fourth unsuccessful bid in a presidential election as an independent candidate and his score dropped from 956 in 2011 to 411 this year, while Mr Pierre is the biggest loser with just 400 votes to finish last in the race involving six candidates.
The opposition amassed 52.23% of the votes in the first round to force a second round for the first time ever.
Mr Ramkalawan thanked the other opposition parties and his voters for helping force a second round for the first time ever and said “with 52.23% of the votes the opposition has more supporters”.
He added: “Michel, we will come after you as the army of the opposition.”
Mr Michel scored more than 50% in seven out of the 25 districts with the highest score of 68.40% (1,186 out of a possible 1,734) coming from the inner islands. The other six districts where he won more than 50% are Baie Ste Anne (57.51%), Cascade (53.12%), Grand Anse Praslin (50.83%), Pointe Larue (52.38%), Roche Caïman (52.78%) and Takamaka (53.16%).
This was 17 districts less than in 2011 when he won all but two districts to total 31,966 votes (55.46%) to be re-elected President for a second five-year term. Mr Michel’s poorest score was registered in St Louis with 877 votes (40.21%) out of a possible 1,683 votes.
As for Mr Ramkalawan, he also got fewer votes than in 2011 when he totalled 23,878 (41.43%) and after scoring more than 50% once then – 53.10% at St Louis – he did not go over the 50% margin this time as his best percentage score was 46.86% again at St Louis after he amassed 1,022 of a possible 1,683 votes. He also beat Mr Michel in Beau Vallon 43.15% to 41.23%.
Mr Ramkalawan’s lowest score was from the inner islands – 398 votes out of a possible 1,734 (22.95%).
The margin between Mr Michel and Mr Ramkalawan in the first round was 7,520 votes – 568 less than in 2011 when the former beat the latter by 8,088 votes (31,966 against 23,878).
The accompanying table shows the results district by district in the second round.

Compiled by G. G.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=247992


SEYCHELLES : Me Bhuckory, « Une nuit sur les bancs à l’a

ARTICLE PARU DANS LE MAURICIEN | 31 DÉCEMBRE, 2015 - 15:45



Les autorités des Seychelles craignent une connexion avec l’opposition qui conteste les résultats des élections présidentielles du 18 décembre avec la plus faible marge pour le président James Michel
Sanjay Bhuckory : « Je n’avais aucun dossier sur moi et je n’ai jamais rencontré le candidat de l’opposition aux présidentielles des Seychelles »
Me Sanjay Bhuckory, Senior Counsel, proche de l’ancien Premier ministre Navin Ramgoolam, a fait l’objet d’un ordre de déportation des autorités des Seychelles durant le week-end, alors qu’il y était avec ses deux enfants pour des vacances. Depuis, cette affaire a pris des proportions politiques, d’abord et principalement en raison du climat politique qui y règne après les récentes élections présidentielles, durant lesquelles le président sortant, James Michel, s’est fait élire avec la plus faible marge, moins d’un point le séparant du candidat de l’opposition. Ensuite, les autorités seychelloises ont multiplié les interventions dans la presse parlée et écrite pour tenter de justifier cette décision et pour atténuer les conséquences. De son côté, Sanjay Bhuckory, qui n’était pas à sa première visite dans l’archipel, se dit étonné et choqué par l’attitude des autorités seychelloises.
« Mes deux enfants et moi étions partis aux Seychelles samedi pour des vacances chez des amis de longue date. Nous devions être de retour le 31. Finalement, ce déplacement s’est résumé à une expérience des plus traumatisantes. Nous avons passé toute la nuit de samedi à dimanche sur un banc à l’aéroport des Seychelles sans même que les autorités ne nous offrent ne serait-ce qu’une bouteille d’eau. Et dimanche à 8 h 30, nous avions été mis dans l’avion de retour sur Maurice », déclare Sanjay Bhuckory, qui n’en revient pas de ce qu’il qualifie d’« expérience traumatisante en cette période de fin d’année ».
Sanjay Bhuckory souligne que la famille seychelloise qui les avait invités pour des vacances connaît ses parents depuis de longues années. « Mais dès notre arrivée, je crois que les préposés avaient déjà décidé de nous frapper d’une interdiction dans l’archipel pour des raisons propres à eux. Nous avons subi des fouilles systématiques. Mais ils n’ont rien trouvé de compromettant sur nous. Je n’avais aucun dossier ou aucun documentant de nature à donner raison aux responsables de l’aéroport pour justifier leur décision préalable », poursuit-il.
La principale crainte des autorités aux Seychelles était que le déplacement de Me Bhuckory soit lié à des discussions au sein de l’opposition pour contester les résultats des récentes élections présidentielles, avec un troisième mandat pour le président James Michel. « Je crois que ma réputation d’avocat m’a précédé dans l’archipel. Il se rappelle que je suis le premier homme de loi à avoir obtenu une annulation d’élection devant le Privy Council. Mais je maintiens que n’ai rien à faire avec la situation politique aux Seychelles. Je n’ai jamais rencontré le candidat de l’opposition aux présidentielles même si j’ai de bonnes relations avec son homme de loi », soutient Sanjay Bhuckory, qui est encore sous le coup du traitement reçu aux Seychelles.
En dépit des explications fournies, la presse des Seychelles trouve dans cette déportation une relation de cause à effet avec la contestation des élections. Ainsi, le quotidien Today In Seychelles note à ce sujet que « a well-known Mauritian lawyer, Sanjay Bhuckory, was refused entry into Seychelles on Saturday night and deported back to Mauritius yesterday morning. This is believed to be a politically-motivated act as M. Bhuckory, who is better known for having led Mauritius’ only legal case that rendered null and void the election of a Member of the National Assembly on the basis of electoral bribery, was also here to visit lawyer friends involved in the opposition’s petitions to contest the Presidential election ».
De son côté, lors d’un point de presse, le Principal Secretary à l’Immigration, Michel Marie, affirme que « doubts surrounding him thickened when upon questioning it was discovered that the friend who had supposedly paid for his ticket and was hosting him had left the country on Christmas Day ». Il ajoute que de nombreux étrangers ont été refoulés à l’aéroport des Seychelles « as a result of making false declaration and concealing information and this is normal procedure ».


http://www.lemauricien.com/article/seychelles-me-bhuckory-nuit-sur-les-bancs-l-aeroport-mahe

Year 2015 news highlights

31-December-2015
As we come to the end of 2015, Seychelles NATION presents its readers with a month-by-month review of the major local news that have marked this eventful year.

January
De nouvo pti baba – en pti fiy ek en pti garson – i ne kot Lopital Sesel zour lannen.
Premye pti baba, Sebastien Samuel Barbé, i ne 12er44 apremidi avek en lapeze 3.1 kilo. Dezyenm pti baba i ne en pti pe mwens ki en erdtan plitar, 1er40 apremidi, e i pez en pti pe par lao 3 kilo.
Air Seychelles expands its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways to include flights to Athens and Belgrade. This brings to 12 the number of European cities available to Air Seychelles on Etihad Airways’ network including London and Manchester (United Kingdom), Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich (Germany), Milan and Rome (Italy), Geneva and Zurich (Switzerland), Brussels (Belgium), Dublin (Ireland), and Paris (France).
Trop-X, the Seychelles Securities Exchange, is accepted as a member of The African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), now bringing the association’s membership to 25.
ASEA is a platform for cooperation, engagement and networking among other exchange and key regional bodies on the continent, geared at developing exchanges and enhancing their competitiveness.
President James Michel announces the composition of his new Cabinet and appoints a number of chief executives in government ministries, departments and agencies, while other heads and senior-most staff retain their position.
Four new ministers are appointed by the President while two ministers step down.
The new ministers are Charles Bastienne (Minister for Home Affairs), Didier Dogley (Minister for Environment, Energy & Climate Change), Michael Benstrong (Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship Development & Business Innovation) and Wallace Cosgrow (Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture).
The two outgoing ministers are Pierre Laporte and Peter Sinon.
A new Hyperbaric Treatment Centre opens at the Seychelles Hospital.
A gift from the Qatar Development Fund, the new facilities are capable of treating seven patients at the same time.
The new chambers will not only be useful to divers who are vulnerable to under water accidents, but will also treat patients suffering from diabetes, bone infections, brain injuries, burns as well as poisoning.
In the past patients suffering from decompression sickness had to be sent to Silhouette Island at high costs for treatment, sometimes at night and in difficult conditions.
The foundation stone for the biggest housing project in Mont Buxton is laid by the Minister for Land Use and Habitat Christian Lionnet and the district’s administrator Michelle Sabury.
The project is being done on the ex-Dominic Savio school or as many know it as the ex-Bel Eau annex school.
The project will cost about R23m with R9m from this year’s national budget and the rest in next year’s budget.
The 36-unit housing project, which will benefit the same number of families, is being financed entirely by the government of Seychelles.
February
Public health officers conduct an investigation into the possible causative agents of an itchy red rash seen on people from the Ramo Estate, Anse Aux Pins.
The infestation of a specific plant locally known as tantan (castor plant) with a specific caterpillar covered in hairs and yellowish in colour with black spots has been found to be responsible for the rash.
Mon Kontan Sesel, the national theme for the year 2015 is officially launched at the International Conference Centre amid songs and dance performances.
President James Michel revealed the theme during his New Year message.
The theme is translated into English as ‘I Love Seychelles’ and into French as ‘J’aime les Seychelles’.
The Mon Kontan Sesel national theme logo, designed by Rene and Ivan Labrosse-Rolston, is represented by a heart which symbolises love. Love for our country, love towards one another, peace, and solidarity for all Seychellois. The thick outline surrounding the heart symbolises our strength and resilience. The colours of the logo and the white space inside the heart represent the colours of our national flag. The way the colours merge into each other represents unity and harmony – Seychelles as a nation in all its diversity.
President James Michel delivers his nationwide year 2015 State-of-the-Nation address to the National Assembly, placing emphasis on the principles of patriotism, empowerment, national unity, social harmony, solidarity, entrepreneurial spirit, and family values for the development of Seychelles’ economic and social wellbeing.
The event marks the National Assembly’s first sitting for the first term of 2015.
It is a constitutional requirement that the head of state delivers a state-of-the nation address on the occasion of the first National Assembly sitting each year.
The Seychelles Land Transport Agency conducts an exercise to evaluate traffic flow on Castor Road. The exercise involves changing the traffic flow along Castor Road in the opposite direction from town to English River instead of from English River to town.
After the exercise is completed the agency will have a better understanding of traffic flow patterns in Victoria.
March
A ban is imposed on all aquarium living organisms into the country.
This follows concerns over possible introduction of a fungus that has been identified as the main source of a disease that is killing amphibians.
The ministry and its partners are considering ways on how to issue license to certain registered local companies who will have to produce relevant documents obtained from regulated overseas facilities that have good health screening system in place.
These importers, once they have complied with certain conditions, will be able to import and distribute aquarium fish on the local market.
India and Seychelles sign four bilateral agreements in fields such as hydrography, renewable energy and security.
The signing of the agreements follows bilateral talks between visiting Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his delegation and a Seychelles government delegation headed by President James Michel.
Indian PM Modi, who is on a one-day official visit to Seychelles, also announces that India is giving Seychelles another Dornier aircraft and a coastal surveillance radar system to strengthen surveillance of its EEZ.
PM Modi also announces a visa waiver for Seychellois citizens travelling to India.
Konsey Nasyonal Lazenes (SNYC) i fet son 17enm lanniverser. Sete le 7 mars 1998 ki gouvernman ti met anplas sa lorganizasyon lazenes avek bi asir en meyer devlopman e lepanouisman lazenes Seselwa.
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) launches a new Bachelor of Social Science (B Soc Sc) degree course in Youth & Community Work and in Social Work.
While officially launching the course, Designated Minister Vincent Meriton said it will not only make a difference in the quality of social and community services that we provide, but it will also ensure a steady flow of newly trained professionals to meet the ongoing demand for more expertise, knowledge and skills in tackling the many problems affecting our society.
April
AMSA Renal Care, the world’s leading renal care providers based in Dubai, UAE, takes over the management of the renal care facilities in Seychelles.
AMSA Renal Care, with a distinction of ZERO mortality rate since its inception will:
• Invest US $10 million in the next five years;
• Provide professional guidance required to bring up the quality of service to world-class level with best practices, protocols and policies;
• Bring world class nephrologists/internal medicine specialists and general practitioners in the country;
• Conduct professional trainings for existing staff and doctors;
• Induct holiday dialysis with its access of 50,000 dialysis patients across the world.
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) is awarded Registered Centre status for the various University of London programmes.
UniSey now joins a group of institutions around the world that enjoy a close relationship with the University of London International Programmes.
Seychelles hosts a three-day technical level meeting on heroin trafficking in the Indian Ocean region. The aim is to strengthen existing approaches to fight maritime drug trafficking, analyse research findings conducted on drug routes in the region, discuss legislation for drug prosecutions and support required by regional states, discuss and share best practices in fighting such crimes, seek ways to better coordinate information sharing on maritime crime and in line with that, work towards a track and report mechanism among regional states and develop a focal point mechanism for expedited flag-state response.
Pri gas ki servi pour kwi manze ouswa ‘LPG’ i desann sorti R18.50 par kilo pour vin R17.00 par kilo. Sa i vedir ki en boutey 4.5 kilo ki ti pe vann R83.25 i aprezan vann R76.50. En boutey 9 kilo ki ti kout R166.50 i aprezan kout R153.00. Pri in vin R204 dan plas R222 pour 12 kilo e R408 dan plas R444 pour 24 kilo. Dan ka bann gro boutey 48 kilo, zot aprezan kout R816 olye R888.
Dan en lot devlopman pri elektrisite osi i desann par preski lanmwatye. Sa i aplik pour konsonmasyon domestik – setadir bann lakour – osi ki pour biznes.
Dapre nouvo tarif ki Komisyon Lenerzi Sesel (SEC) in anonse, pri elektrisite i redwir par 76 sou lo sak inite e sa i reprezant en rediksyon an mwayenn 48 poursan.
The Supreme Court annexe building which will be served mostly to hear piracy and maritime crime cases is officially opened. The two-storey ultra-modern court complex is a donation to the people of Seychelles from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It has been funded by the government of the United Kingdom, the Royal government of the Netherlands and the Trust Fund of the Contact group on Piracy.
May
The Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) signs a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Union University (BUU). Through this agreement, the STA will have access to the Tourism College of the BUU which will make easier the exchange of students and lecturers as well as provide a platform for exchanging research and scientific materials.
Students from the two institutions will go on exchange programmes for both studies and work attachments.
Victoria and the City of Qingdao of the People’s Republic of China sign a memorandum of understanding to establish sister city relationship.
The twinning agreement seeks to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, culture, education, sports, health, sustainable development, environmental protection, urban development, tourism, and trade, particularly in key areas such as blue economy and port.
Le Jardin du Roi spice and endemic garden has now some enhanced facilities including its own museum – an area dedicated to the history of spices in Seychelles since the 18th century.
This project has been made possible due to the collaboration with the Plant Conservation Action Group (PCA) and through the funding of Government of Seychelles, GEF and UNDP Mainstreaming Biodiversity Project for joint Environmental NGO / Tourism establishment projects involving conservation and biodiversity.
The main aim of the project is to increase forest native biodiversity in the nature trail area of forest at the site (approx. 2 hectares) and also to train the garden’s staff in rehabilitation methods.
Telecommunications company Airtel Seychelles inaugurates its first national fibre optic ring at the Providence Industrial Estate, Providence.
The optic fibre ring will provide a high speed service on Airtel’s network service so that the full potential of the company’s 3G and 4G services can be tapped.
An investigation opens into an apparent leak of classified information involving different policies the Ministry of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy has been working on since January. This comes after a local newspaper printed a story containing two of the six policies the ministry has been working on.
The two policies mentioned in the article in question are the 13th month salary and a property tax on land and dwellings owned by foreigners.
June
Two local firms – the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) and Airtel – enter into a new merchant agreement with the aim of providing customers a modern mode of payment for their goods. Through this memorandum of understanding STC customers are guaranteed an instant payment service which can easily be accessed through any type of mobile phones. This new facility called ‘Airtel Money’ allows STC customers to purchase their goods and pay for their shopping by just using their phone.
Twenty-one-year-old Linne Freminot is crowned Miss Seychelles ... Another World 2015!
Petra Richard, 20, is the first princess while Genevieve Rene, also aged 20, clinches the second princess title.
The group Inison, comprising Antoinette Dodin and Judith Hoareau, is this year’s grand winner of the National Day song competition with their song entitled ‘Meyer plas anba lesyel’. They receive a cash prize of R50,000.
The second prize goes to Travis Julienne with his song entitled ‘Avan Tou’. He pockets a cash prize of R25,000.
The song ‘Mon Sesel’ by Simon Amade earns the singer a cash prize of R10,000 as third prize.
Premye Lazournen Konstitisyon (le 18 Zen) i marke par en seremoni fer monte paviyon kot Moniman Lavwa Lanasyon lo Laveni 5 Zen.
Bi sa seremoni se pour onor Konstitisyon pei ek son bann senbol nasyonal, alokazyon 22enm lanniverser depi ki Konstitisyon nou 3enm Repiblik ti vin anfors.
Sa seremoni fer monte paviyon ti oparavan ganny fer le 29 Zen, Lazournen Lendepandans, ki aprezan in vin nou Lazournen Nasyonal.
The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS), in collaboration with the National Celebrations Committee and the help of the Ministry of Education, launches a partly coloured commemorative coin with a face value of R50.
This is to commemorate the first year in which the country’s National Day is being celebrated on June 29, which is also our Independence Day.
July
Praslin’s new state-of-the-art fire station is officially opened by President James Michel along with Home Affairs Minister Charles Bastienne and chief fire officer of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) Andre Morel.
Built on 2,419.74 square metres of state land on the reclaimed Eve island, the fire station has been financed by the Seychelles government at a cost of R30 million.
The new station has an administrative block, a mechanical workshop, disaster command centre, offices, training rooms, a library, stores, residential quarters with a recreational room, kitchen, a dining room, showers and bedrooms and an appliance bay.
There are two fire engines at the station and two smaller ones which are being constructed are expected to join the fleet later in the year.
A new insurance company – Falcon Insurance – is officially launched in Seychelles, with the promise of providing new types of insurance products that other firms here do not provide on the local market.
Falcon Insurance, whose head office is based at Eden Plaza, is the fourth insurance company which is offering its services on the Seychelles market.
The company’s director Arnold Chetty says to start off the company will offer only motor insurance and after each month it will introduce new products after consulting the needs of its clients.
A visa waiver agreement between Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates comes into force. Under the agreement, which was signed in Abu Dhabi in November last year, Seychellois nationals will be allowed to enter, exit or transit through the United Arab Emirates without a visa and fees for a stay of up to 90 days.
Seychelles is the first African country to sign an agreement of this kind with the UAE.
Air Seychelles effectue son premier vol direct de Mahé à l'aéroport Charles de Gaulle. C’est un retour en force pour la compagnie Air Seychelles, près de quatre ans après avoir cessé ses vols directs vers la capitale française.
La compagnie aérienne nationale effectuera trois vols directs par semaine de Mahé à l'aéroport Charles de Gaulle. Les départs sont programmés pour mercredi, vendredi et dimanche à 21h40 (arrivée le lendemain à 6h05) et les vols retour quitteront Paris lundi, jeudi et samedi à 18h00 (arrivée le lendemain à 6h10).
August
Vennsenk nouvo manm Lafors Defans Pep Sesel (SPDF) i pret serman apre ki zot in swiv en formasyon de baz ki’n dir pandan en peryod kat mwan. Apard formasyon militer, sa bann solda in osi ganny antrennen pour tenny dife e donn premye swen. La ki zot in sermante, sa bann solda pou aprezan entegre dan bann diferan seksyon SPDF parey Gard Lakot, Larme de Ler ek Lenfantri.
The foundation stone is laid for the construction of a reception and visitor information centre at the Mission Lodge heritage site at Sans Souci.
The Mission Lodge site is one of Seychelles’ most valuable heritage properties from both environmental and cultural perspectives. The Seychelles Heritage Foundation wants the site to have a more iconic visual impact and more visitor friendly by putting up a reception and visitor information centre with a gallery, cafeteria, a larger parking area, permanent exhibition, new signage, toilet and washroom facilities.
The foundation stone is laid for the construction of 24 new housing units on the ex-Kashogi estate at Bel Ombre. The project is being financed by the government of the United Arab Emirates through a grant which is being managed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
Mathilda Twomey, née Butler Payette, is sworn into office as the new and first Seychellois female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Seychelles.
Justice Twomey's appointment as Chief Justice follows the unanimous recommendation made to the President of the Republic by the Constitutional Appointments Authority.
She becomes the first Seychellois female to hold the post of Chief Justice in the country.
The governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles Caroline Abel is awarded the African Female Public Servant of the Year Award by the African Leadership Magazine, as well as a Special Commendation Award from the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.
The African Female Public Service Award is a prestigious distinction reserved for deserving public servants, public institutions, groups and associations, who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Africa’s public service.
The Special Commendation Award from the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus is in further recognition of the governor’s role in boosting Seychelles’ banking sector and contributing to the country’s economic and social development.
September
The foundation stone is laid for a new police station at Anse Aux Pins to replace the existing one and it should be ready by June next year.
The new police station will be about 600 square metres and it will have new facilities to boost the operations of the police force as the Anse Aux Pins station covers Pointe Larue, Cascade, Au Cap, part of Montagne Posée and Anse Aux Pins itself.
This new modern police station, which will cost R6 million, will have a proper reception area, a meeting room, criminal investigation department (CID) area, and better detaining cells among other facilities.
The National Drugs Enforcement Agency announces that it is intensifying its fight against drug trafficking through what it has called a major anti-drug operation, in the most affected areas and with bad reputation on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.
The operation is targeting traffickers such as distributers, transporters and pushers operating at community level and directly affecting drugs’ victims.
Thirty-seven officers from several units of the Seychelles police force are promoted to the ranks of special corporal, corporal, sergeant, sub-inspector and inspector.
Out of the 37 officers is promoted to special corporal after being a special constable, two move from lance corporals to corporals, 14 from constables to corporals, 12 from corporals to sergeants, seven from sergeants to sub-inspector and one from sub-inspector to inspector.
Seychelles introduces the injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) into its routine immunisation programme, thus taking a landmark step to join global effort to accelerate polio eradication.
Children are routinely immunised against polio at the age of three, four, five and 18 months, six and 15 years and up until now this has been through drops given orally but as of this month injection is being introduced as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
October
Lasanble Nasyonal i aprouv en mosyon pour ki Ile Perseverance i vin 26enm rezyon elektoral dan Sesel. Sa mosyon i vin apre en demann gouvernman pour fer sa zil konble vin en sirkonskripsyon elektoral.
La ki sa mosyon in ganny aprouve, i reste zis pour Prezidan Larepiblik, Msye James Michel, siny sa lalwa e fer Ile Perseverance vin ofisyelman en distrik elektoral.
Avek anviron 7,000 zabitan, Zil Perseverans pou pli gran distrik e zòn elektoral dan Sesel.
Sesel i zwenn sa pti lalis pei dan lemonn ki’n pibliy Labib dan zot prop lalang nasyonal. Labib an Kreol Seselwa i en linisyativ Seychelles Bible Society an kolaborasyon avek le trwa legliz ek larelizyon prensipal dan pei – Legliz Katolik Romen, Legliz Anglikann ek Legliz Advantis.
Konsiltan tradiksyon sa Labib i Dokter Krijin van der Jagt.
Eighteen-year-old Debbie Horsman is the winner of the first Miss Creole Des Iles International. Marie-Antoinette Robert and Emma Denousse clinch the first and second princess titles respectively.
The foundation stone is laid for the construction of a new bypass bridge that will link Ile du Port to the Espace building area.
The R45.2m asphalt surface bridge will provide for a dual carriageway with lanes of 3.5 metres wide and constructed on pillars driven to bedrock level.
The bridge will also have a footpath of 1.5 metres on each side, as well as all the necessary markings, traffic signs, street lights and pedestrian and vehicular railings.
Seychelles receives a US $10 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support the government's Inclusive Private Sector Development and Competitiveness Programme.
This budget-support loan, designed to ensure continuity and deepening of reforms supported under the first phase, will be disbursed in one tranche in the fiscal year 2015.
The aims of the Inclusive Private Sector Development and Competitiveness Programme – phase II (IPSDCP-II) are to achieve inclusive and sustained economic growth through enhanced competitiveness of the economy of Seychelles. It will also support a series of reforms to address key constraints to private sector development, focusing on domestic small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Two new bus shelters built adjacent to each other at the entrance of Ile Perseverance housing estate, a project of the Lions Club of Seychelles, are officially inaugurated. The project has been sponsored by Shreeji Construction PTY.LTD and Laxmi Trading, two companies managed by Lion Keshra V. Bhudia.
November
Distrik Takamaka i gran venker premye edisyon Pri Distrik Kiltirel organize konzwentman par Minister Tourizm ek Kiltir ek Minister Zafer Sosyal, Devlopman Kominoter ek Spor.
Trez distrik antou ti dan final kot zot ti resevwar sakenn en sertifika. Sa ti Au Cap, Anse Boileau, Anse Royale, Baie Ste Anne (Praslin), Baie Lazare, Beau Vallon, Bel Ombre, Bel Air, Cascade, Rivière Anglaise, Mont Fleuri, La Digue ek Takamaka.
Konkour Pri Distrik Kiltirel ti lanse an Novanm 2013 avek bi rekonnet bann distrik ki’n pran bann linisyativ pozitiv pour devlopman diferan laspe kiltir Seselwa. Osi pour donn zot loportinite pour demontre bann atou kiltirel dan zot distrik.
Gregory Albert, head of the United Concrete Products Seychelles (UCPS), is the best entrepreneur and businessman of the year.
He receives his award during the annual Business Awards Ceremony and Gala Ball 2015.
Iwanah Pillay, the chairperson of the young entrepreneur association, wins a special award for young entrepreneurs.
The long-awaited premiere of the 3D film ‘Aldabra: Once upon an Island’ is screened in Prague, Czech.
Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) chairman, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, and SIF chief executive Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley attend the first showing of this new and exciting film that truly brings the wonders of Aldabra to life.
The 73-minute long film has been produced and directed by Czech film company Starlite Pictures in collaboration with Disney. The film is described as ‘An adventurous 3D expedition to the shores of a mysterious island lost in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Air Seychelles renews a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Seychelles (UniSey). Through this agreement, students of UniSey will be able to attend lectures delivered by Air Seychelles experts on various facets of aviation operations, as well as benefit from vocational training at the airline’s headquarters and airport facilities.
In addition, top performing graduates will be considered for employment and provided the opportunity to visit Etihad Airways’ state-of-the-art training academy in Abu Dhabi, where employees and graduates receive training and development.
A total of 147 students graduate from the University of Seychelles (UniSey). The graduates are recipients of either a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Arts degree, advanced diploma or diploma or postgraduate certificate combining from the Faculties of Science and Humanities, Business and Law and the Guy Morel Institute.
Nelson Tamboo, a second year fine art student at the Seychelles Institute of Arts & Design, clinches the Outstanding Young Male Role Model Award organised by the National Family Council.
Sixteen-year-old Mujaheed Robert, an S5 student from Mont Fleuri school and 17-year-old Christian Larue, an S5 student from Beau Vallon school, win second and third places respectively.
The aim of the award is to help develop and promote positive attitude and behaviour in our young boys and inspire them to become positive role models in society thus ensuring gender equality.
The award is a newly added segment of the Men’s Award which the National Family Council launched last year. But this year the above award itself will not take place because of the forthcoming election.
December
The EUCAP Nestor, a civilian mission of the European Union dedicated to enhancing maritime security, donates several pieces of equipment aimed at boosting the capacity of the Seychelles Maritime Police Unit in detecting crime.
The donation comes ahead of the EUCAP Nestor’s closing of its country office here after three years of engagement.
The equipment include boat GPS & radar, defibrillators, boat central unit, as well as many navigation type of equipment that will benefit the Seychelles Maritime Police Unit.

The K.D. Pillay-Savoundaravally Foundation signs a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education. Under the terms of this agreement, the foundation will reward best students at IGCSE and A-Levels on an annual basis.
The foundation says it will also give scholarships or loans to pursue further studies in the field of Business Studies to one deserving needy student per year who has excelled in his/her academic performance.
Seychelles and the Unites States of America (US) sign an air transport agreement, the first of its kind between the countries. It is the first Open Skies agreement which Seychelles signs with an international partner.
Lasanble Nasyonal i aprouv bidze 2016 ki’n prevwar en depans 6 bilyon, 564 milyon, 229 mil roupi. Dan sa bidze, Lasante ek Ledikasyon i reste sa de sekter priyoriter. Sekter Lasante pou resevwar 661 milyon roupi ki reprezant 10.1% sa bidze tandis ki ledikasyon, li i pou resevwar 556.5 milyon roupi, oubyen 8.5% sa bidze nasyonal.
The Ministry of Health installs a medical oxygen production unit worth R7 million at the Seychelles Hospital. This unit is aimed at ensuring that there is a reliable and continuous supply of medical oxygen to meet the requirements of both the public and private medical health centres and institutions throughout the country and also reduce high purchasing costs by saving some R10 million annual spending on oxygen cylinders.

Source Seychells Nation