Ballot papers arrive |19 November 2015

With only two weeks before Seychellois go to the polls, the Electoral Commission has received the consignment of ballot papers that will be used during the Presidential election from December 3-5.

The consignment of ballot papers, printed in South Africa, was brought here last night on board an Air Seychelles flight and is now kept under tight security before distribution on voting day.

Representatives from political parties, media personnel and police officers witnessed the offloading of the ballot papers. Six candidates are taking part in the much-awaited election.

Electoral commissioner Hendrick Gappy and representatives of the election’s candidates who had gone to witness the printing of the ballot were on the same flight. They were Wilson Joseph representing James Michel of Parti Lepep, Robin Johnstone representing Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party, Clifford André representing Patrick Pillay of Lalyans Seselwa, Paul Amesbury representing Alexia Amesbury of Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy, Andre Figaro representing David Pierre of Popular Democratic Movement, and Gilbert Confiance representing independent candidate Philippe Boulle.

A total of 71,000 ballot papers have been printed for the 70,943 registered voters. This will allow for any papers that might get spoilt. There will be careful accounting for the papers to ensure complete transparency.

Sealed in the presence of the representatives during packaging, the ballot papers were transported under tight security to a secure place not disclosed. They will be under guard until polling day.
 
Speaking to the local media, Mr Gappy said the whole process went very well and representatives of all parties witnessed it.

“On the first day we arrived (in South Africa) we worked until late as we designed the ballot paper and also selected the official seal as well as other security features to ensure that they are safe and authentic. We also witnessed the preparation of the plates and the whole printing process, the destruction of plates and spoilt ballot papers upon completion of printing. On the same evening we witnessed the packaging of the ballot papers and all representatives were happy with the counting and they even participated in the counting. The representatives have also attached their official seal marks on the boxes to ensure that they are not compromised,” said Mr Gappy.

He added: “We also agreed that if additional ballot papers are to be printed for this election, it is only with the cooperation of all those who were in South Africa with me that we can request the printers to print them. I’m happy to say that there are no loose ballot papers. Today (yesterday) we are carrying with us 71,000 ballot papers only. Under police escort and accompanied by representatives of political parties we will take the ballot papers to a secure area until prior to election time.”

All the representatives Seychelles NATION spoke to were happy with the printing process saying it was done in a “transparent way”.

They added that everything to guarantee the transparency was done and the printers were very professional and they all worked together very well.

Based on lots drawn on Nomination Day, the Parti Lepep presidential candidate, incumbent President James Michel, appears at the top on the ballot paper, followed by Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles National Party, Patrick Pillay of Lalyans Seselwa, Alexia Amesbury of Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy, David Pierre of Popular Democratic Movement, and independent candidate Philippe Boulle.

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.