Seychelles to hold rerun presidential election as no candidate secures 50%

"The electoral authority has not announced when the rerun election is expected to be held. With no outright winner, Seychelles will hold a rerun presidential election after the country's two main contenders secured below 50 percent of the votes, the electoral authority said. According to official results on Sunday, incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan gained 46.4 percent of the vote while opposition figure Patrick Herminie received 48.8 percent, according to The Associated Press news agency."

"Activists filed a constitutional case against the government a week before the election, to challenge a recent decision to issue a long-term lease for part of Assomption Island, the country's largest, to a Qatari company for a luxury hotel development, according to AP. Included in the lease was the reconstruction of an airstrip to facilitate access for international flights. But the agreement ignited widespread criticism that it favours foreign interests over Seychelles' extended welfare and sovereignty."

The electoral authority announced that no presidential candidate secured more than 50 percent, triggering a rerun election with the date not yet announced. Official results showed Patrick Herminie with 48.8 percent and incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan with 46.4 percent. Early voting began on Thursday while most people voted on Saturday. United Seychelles, led by Herminie, governed from 1977 to 2020 and is seeking to return to power. Ramkalawan seeks a second term with his Linyon Domokratik Seselwa party campaigning on economic recovery, social development, and environmental sustainability. Voter concerns included a contested long-term lease for part of Assomption Island and a growing heroin crisis estimated to affect 6,000 people. Seychelles is especially vulnerable to climate change.

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