James A. Michel wins Presidential election 2006-Yes Michel! |01 August 2006

In what was the toughest race for the presidency the country has seen since the re-introduction of multipaty politics in Seychelles in 1992, the Seychellois people on Sunday July 30 elected President James Michel to lead the country for the next five years.

This choice by the people also reaffirmed their acceptance of the policies of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) and their wish for continuity.

Appreciating this renewed trust and confidence of the people, President-elect Michel told the population after the results were announced by Electoral Commissioner Hendrick Gappy in the early hours of Monday morning that he will be the "President of every Seychellois."

This year's Presidential election took place from July 28 to 30 with the majority of voters on the three main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue voting on Sunday.

A total of 56,787 voters, or 88.6 percent of eligible voters (64,026) turned up to cast their ballots in what was one of the biggest turnouts in a presidential election since 1992.
From the 56,787 votes cast, 56,059 were valid and 728 were rejected.

Mr Michel polled 30,119 votes which was 53.73 percent of the total valid votes cast whereas the main opposition candidate, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP)/Democratic Party (DP) alliance, collected 25,626 votes or 45.71 percent.

The remaining 314 valid votes went to independent candidate Mr Philippe Boullé for a 0.56 percentage.

President Michel's score was a few hundredths of a percent lower than the 54.19 percent polled by the then President France Albert Rene in the 2001 Presidential election when Mr Ramkalawan polled 44.95 percent.

In Sunday's election Mr Michel finished ahead of his two opponents in 16 electoral areas, Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Ste Anne, Bel Ombre, Cascade, English River, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman and Takamaka.

Mr Ramkalawan won Anse Etoile, Au Cap, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Glacis, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri and St Louis. A detailed list of the results by districts is published in a chart on page 3.

Mr Michel, voted President for the first time on his own ticket – he took over from President France Albert Rene who stepped down in April 2004 – said his victory was a great moment for him and the people Seychelles.

Speaking before an audience including the other two candidates, diplomats and international observers, President-elect Michel called for national unity.

"I would like to say that I will be the President of every Seychellois. I will open my arms and my heart to every Seychellois and I will do my best with all my courage and determination to work for every Seychellois without discrimination," said Mr Michel.

He said Seychelles is a small country in which the people live like in a big family.
"I believe that now is the time, despite our different political opinions, for a new beginning.

We must all work together. We now have a unique opportunity for us to come together and work to bring Seychelles further. I pledge to work with all my determination, together with you, to bring further achievements for the country," he told the nation.

President-elect Michel also wished for the country to remain peaceful and thanked the Electoral Commissioner and his staff for the good way in which they have conducted the election which initial reports from the international observers said has been largely free and fair.

"I would like also to thank the observers for being with us to observe the election, and all my supporters who have voted for me, for their confidence and this new mandate for me to continue the work that I started two years ago," he said.

As for Mr Ramkalawan, he said he will accept the results and urged Mr Michel to follow through on his promises to govern fairly.

"The results have been declared, a victor has been named and as a true democrat, I respect the results. I do hope that what Mr Michel has just said are indeed words that come from the heart, words full of sincerity and I do hope that indeed Mr Michel treats every Seychellois fairly," Mr Ramkalawan said.

He added that he hopes this new mandate will "indeed be a new beginning. This country needs a new beginning, this country is thirsty for justice, this country needs a complete turnaround."

He said he hopes that Mr Michel will really have "a heart for every Seychellois" and that "every Seychellois will be treated like a Seychellois, will be given the same opportunities and indeed be given the chance to be what he wants to be."

Sunday's result was Mr Ramkalawan's third defeat in presidential elections since the reintroduction of multiparty but said he will stay on as he believes the opposition has an important role to place in a democracy and added that he hopes the government will acknowledge and respect this importance.

As for Mr Boullé, he said his score of 314 votes shows clearly that "it is very, very tough to be an independent candidate in Seychelles."

Despite that he said he enjoyed the campaign and is proud of those who found the courage to vote for him, adding that those voters wanted at all cost to put the wellbeing of the country and its people before everything else.

He wished the Seychellois well in the coming five years, saying they should "continue living in peace and enjoy Seychelles as much as you can in all the difficulties that it faces."

He said the new government should be true to the mandate of being faithful to the people of Seychelles, be transparent, accountable and not to pay only lip service to the true values of democracy.