The island nation of Seychelles faces a pivotal moment as President Wavel Ramkalawan vies for re-election against challenger Patrick Herminie.
Published On 11 Oct 2025
On Saturday, citizens of Seychelles headed to the polls to decide the outcome of a closely contested presidential runoff between the current president, Wavel Ramkalawan, and his challenger, Patrick Herminie.
With over 77,000 registered voters in this island nation of approximately 120,000 inhabitants, the election results are anticipated to be announced by Sunday.
This election will determine if Ramkalawan, representing the ruling Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party, will secure a second term or if Herminie’s United Seychelles party will reclaim leadership after a five-year hiatus.
Historically, United Seychelles governed from 1977 until 2022 before losing the presidency. However, the party made significant gains in last month’s parliamentary elections, capturing 15 out of 26 seats.
Neither candidate achieved an outright majority in the initial round held two weeks ago. Herminie led with 48.8% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Ramkalawan’s 46.4%, necessitating this decisive runoff.
Early voting commenced on Thursday at designated sites such as eldercare facilities, schools, and remote islands, with main polling stations opening at 7 a.m. local time on Saturday.
The campaign has been marked by several contentious issues, foremost among them a disputed land lease agreement. The government granted a Qatari firm a 70-year lease to develop a luxury resort on Assumption Island for $20 million.
Environmental advocates have challenged this project legally, citing risks to the delicate ecosystem surrounding the UNESCO-listed Aldabra atoll, which shelters around 400 endemic species.
Herminie has vowed to terminate the resort plan if elected, alongside promises to lower the retirement age and cut public transportation fares. Conversely, Ramkalawan defends the deal as a vital investment to bolster the tourism-reliant economy.
Another pressing concern among voters is the country’s struggle with heroin addiction, which affects an estimated 10% of the working-age population-one of the highest rates globally. Critics argue that both candidates have inadequately addressed this crisis during their tenure.
Ramkalawan, a former Anglican clergyman, made history in 2020 as the first opposition figure to win the presidency, ending United Seychelles’ 43-year dominance. His opponent, Herminie, has served as parliamentary speaker and previously led the national drug prevention agency.
The winner will guide Africa’s smallest nation by population and one of the wealthiest per capita through ongoing challenges, including climate change vulnerabilities and safeguarding national sovereignty amid competing global interests.
