Presidential election 2006-Three in race for presidency |07 July 2006

They are incumbent President James A. Michel of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) who has Vice-President Joseph Belmont as vice-presidential candidate; Seychelles National Party (SNP) leader Wavel Ramkalawan as presidential candidate with party treasurer Annette Georges for vice-president ; and independent presidential candidate lawyer Philippe Boulle with metaphysician Henry Naiken as vice-presidential candidate.

The presidential election has been scheduled for July 28, 29, and 30 this year.

Registration started at 1.30 p.m. at the Electoral Commissioner's Office, temporarily housed in the National Library building, and the candidates and their entourage were welcomed by Electoral Commissioner Hendrick Gappy, Chief Registration Officer Anaclet Tirant and Chief Electoral Officer Jenny Adrienne.

President Michel was the first to arrive to complete his nomination formalities. Upon entering the library building, he received a round of applause from the members of staff and curious library users. He was accompanied by Vice-President Belmont, Designated Minister Danny Faure and Member of the National Assembly Marie-Louise Potter who both form part of the SPPF campaign team.

President Michel handed his nomination documents to Ms Adrienne for verification and she in turn handed them over to Mr Tirant for cross-checking with the entire exercise conducted under the watchful eyes of Electoral Commissioner Gappy.

President Michel also handed over a copy of his party's manifesto for the forthcoming election entitled, En Leker pour tou Seselwa (A heart for all Seychellois). The SPPF's colour is red.

The registration procedures followed the same pattern for all three candidates.

Independent candidate Mr Boulle was the second to arrive, accompanied by Mr Naiken and their executive officer Marco Francis. Mr Boulle has adopted yellow as colour.

Other than vice-presidential candidate Mrs Georges, SNP presidential candidate Ramkalawan was also accompanied by the party's secretary Roger Mancienne and leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Paul Chow. Earlier this week the DP leader signed an agreement with SNP to support Ramkalawan as the sole opposition candidate. SNP's colour is green.

After registration Mr Ramkalawan went through the nomination documents of the two other candidates, something that a competitor is entitled to do under the Election Act.

After completing their nomination procedures, all three candidates spoke briefly to the press with all of them wishing for a peaceful and calm election campaign.

President Michel said he has total confidence in the choice the people of Seychelles will make.

For the past two years that he has been President of Seychelles, he said, he has kept all the promises he made to the people. The people of Seychelles, he continued, have been able to see for themselves and appreciate the work he has done as well as his vision and plan for Seychelles.

"I have worked very hard for Seychelles and we have achieved results in the different sectors of development. I will continue to work with all my strength for the wellbeing of all Seychellois," he said.

President Michel said that his message for the population is 'A heart for all Seychellois'  because he believes in a society where there is unity, solidarity, harmony, love and compassion for every Seychellois.

"I believe in a society where every Seychellois is given the chance to work and create more wealth and a better quality of life for all Seychellois," he said.

For the electoral campaign, which starts today, President Michel said his wish is for it to be held peacefully and in tranquillity and for the people of Seychelles to continue working together to bring the country forward.

As for Mr Boulle, he said he is happy to be back as an independent candidate (after competing under the same title at the last presidential election in 2001) and continue his call for a Government of national unity.

"I believe that a government of national unity will allow us to build a better future for all Seychellois," he said, adding that he will give the electorate a special choice from a candidate that does not come from, and is not affiliated to, any political party.

"I believe that it is important that the people have a different choice, the choice of an independent candidate who can propose a government that is very different from what political parties are proposing," he said.

"Now is more than ever, the time for a government of national unity which will bring all the people together."

On the conduct of the electoral campaign, Mr Boulle said he has always had confidence in the people of Seychelles who are always peaceful, happy, tolerant and his wish is that they continue to display these qualities throughout the campaigning period.

"I have confidence in the people of Seychelles and I believe that the campaigning will take place peacefully, even more peaceful than during previous elections," he said.

The third presidential candidate to speak to the press was Mr Ramkalawan who said that the SNP is looking forward to the electoral campaign which it expects will take place peacefully and with respect for each other.

He said he hopes that all those who have authority to impose law and order will take their responsibility seriously and work in a fair manner.

"My wish is that in the 21 days ahead, all the people of Seychelles will have the opportunity to listen to all the messages of all the political parties and the independent candidate, and that based on these they will be able to make a decision without being afraid or influenced, a decision they will be able to live with," he said.

The SNP's campaign message, he said, is 'change for a better Seychelles.' The Seychellois people today, he said, are encountering many difficulties and are living under a lot of pressure.

"What we want is to bring about change that will give back to the Seychellois their freedom and a stronger and more prosperous economy," he said.

He said he and his party will also put before the electorate proposals to improve the services offered by government, including health, education and welfare in general.

"What we are putting before the people is that after 29 years under the same government, it is time to change to a new government and this will help to reinforce our democracy and make us a stronger nation that will be a model not only for the region but also worldwide," he said.

Mr Ramkalawan said he is ready for the election and hopes that it will take place in all fairness, adding that he will respect the choice of the Seychellois people.