Three candidates to contest Anse Aux Pins by-election |18 July 2012

Meggy Marie of Parti Lepep, Jane Carpin of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and independent candidate Lucas Georges presented their nomination papers yesterday.

On hand to receive the documents was Guy Morel, presiding officer for the Anse Aux Pins by-election, in the presence of Chief Electoral Officer Charles Morin at the Electoral Commission offices at Aarti Chambers.

Electoral Commission chairman Hendrick Gappy and the other four members were also present, as were representatives of all media in the country.

The Parti Lepep candidate, Meggy Marie, a lecturer from the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT), was the first to present his candidacy. He was accompanied by Minister Peter Sinon, the party’s central committee member for Anse Aux Pins and Simon Gill, another prominent member of the party’s campaign team.

Talking to the press later, Mr Marie said his main objective is to unite residents and continue building on what has already been achieved.

He said that, if elected, he would push for more small enterprises to be set up on the reclaimed Ile Soleil, in a bid to reduce the need to travel to other districts for work.

Independent candidate Lucas Georges arrived next. He is already well-known as a former cycling champion and is presently national technical director with the National Sports Council (NSC). Mr Georges said he is also the first African to be appointed Chief Commissar of the All-Africa Games.

Mr Georges said, as an independent candidate, who bears no allegiance to any party leadership, he will be best able to work for people of all political shades.

Mr Georges said besides sports, he is preoccupied with the security situation in the country and the rise of social ills, such as substance abuse.

Jane Carpin of the PDM was the third candidate to present papers. She was accompanied by party secretary Francesca Monnaie.

Ms Carpin is a former MNA of the Seychelles National Party (SNP), which is not contesting the by-election.

She said “her roots” are at Anse Aux Pins, having grown up there and been a teacher at the district school until she joined politics.

Ms Carpin said being in regular contact with the residents, she is aware that youths are keen on tapping business and other opportunities at Ile Soleil and she is keen to ensu  re that this is so.
All candidates expressed confidence of winning the election.

Today, once the nomination papers have been verified by the electoral officials, the candidates will be issued with certificates and lots will be drawn to determine the order in which they will appear on the ballot paper as well as the order of the campaign broadcasts  allowed to each of them on SBC television and radio.