Presidential election 2015 - Nomination Day today |11 November 2015

Today is Nomination Day for the forthcoming presidential election and this will take place at the Electoral Commission headquarters, which have temporarily moved to the National Library building in Victoria.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION yesterday,Electoral Commission chairman Hendrick Gappy said the first candidate will produce his documents at 9am and will be followed by five others who have taken nomination papers.

He added that his office is ready to receive the nominations.

All candidates must complete their nomination formalities by 1pm the latest.

Among the documents the candidates have to produce are their respective nomination papers supported by a nomination form; a list of 500 supporters; two passport size colour photographs, both in hard copy and high resolution digital format; the candidates' party symbol in colour, or in the case of an independent candidate the colour and symbol adopted by that candidate; a certificate from an officer of the respective political party authorising a candidate to act on behalf of that party;  a certificate from the Electoral Commission to the effect that the candidates have satisfied the requirements to provide security for R15,000; and forms of designation and consent of the vice-presidential candidate.

Also today at 5pm at the Electoral Commission headquarters at the National Library building there will be the drawing of lots to determine the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot paper and the order of appearance for the party political broadcasts (PPBs) to be aired at the start and end of the official campaigning period.

So far, five political parties have paraded their candidates for the Presidential election.

Incumbent President James A. Michel is the Parti Lepep candidate with Vice-President Danny Faure as his running mate.

Wavel Ramkalawan is the Seychelles National Party (SNP) presidential candidate and Roger Mancienne is his running mate.

Popular Democratic Party’s presidential candidate is David Pierre and his running mate is Herve Anthony.

Newly formed Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy (SPSJD) has as its presidential candidate its female leader Alexia Amesbury and her running mate is Roy Fonseka.

Former Minister Patrick Pillay is the Lalyans Seselwa presidential candidate with Ahmed Afif as his running mate.

Philippe Boulle is the only independent presidential candidate.

The presidential election will take place from December 3-5, 2015.