Letter to the Editor-In support of ethical political campaigning |30 April 2011

The Bishop said that he shared his reflections out of a desire to contribute to the democratic progress of our society.

“I appeal to everyone to work that politics in Seychelles fully rediscovers its noble status,” he concluded.

A few days ago President James A. Michel called on the electoral commissioner to create a committee on political ethics on which all parties or groups contesting the presidential election will have the right to designate a representative.

“Such a committee would offer a platform where those participating in the elections may share their views on how to ensure that campaigning in these elections lives up to the expectations of the Seychellois people. The Committee should also issue a charter on ethical campaigning to be endorsed by all those who are participating in the election,” the President stated.

As the founding President of the Republic of Seychelles and as an elder statesman, I would like to endorse the sentiments of both the Bishop and the President in their common endeavor to see that the coming election marks a transformation in the way politics is conducted in Seychelles.

It is here that we come up with the question of ethics, of moral correctness and honourable behaviour – characteristics which have sadly been so much lacking in past elections.

I am sure that if the spirit of a truly sharing and caring society predominates on today’s horizon and political leaders agree that in a democratic society the winner does not take it all and the loser remains paramountly committed to respect the Structure of State, then we are really on the road to a better Seychelles.

James R. Mancham