VICTORIA, Seychelles — Anne Simone Bistoquet has been nominated as Linyon Demokratik Seselwa’s (LDS) new proportionately elected member of the National Assembly, replacing Rosie Bistoquet, who passed away on December 21, 2023. In a communication released on Wednesday, LDS confirmed that notice of the nomination has been given to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Roger Mancienne, in accordance with Article 81(4) of the Constitution of Seychelles. The nomination is the first change in the party’s representation in the National Assembly since the start of the current parliamentary term.
The decision to nominate Ms Bistoquet has come after consultations with all the relevant parties in the LDS leadership. The executive committee, the party caucus in the National Assembly, and all the leadership of LDS are happy to welcome Ms Bistoquet to the LDS team. On behalf of all LDS supporters, we express our appreciation for her commitment to serve the party and the country in this position of high responsibility, the communication stated. The communication was signed by the LDS secretariat, and circulated to the media on Wednesday afternoon.
Anne Bistoquet has a legal background and is presently completing her studies for a law degree at the University of Seychelles. She has held the position of senior law clerk in the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the past six years, where she has acquired valuable understanding and experience of Seychelles’ judicial system. Her experience in the courts is expected to be a useful addition to the LDS bench, particularly on legislation that touches on judicial reform and on the administration of justice.
Ms Bistoquet has also been a committed LDS activist, fully engaged in party work in a variety of ways. She has the personal characteristics and leadership skills which will allow her to make a valuable contribution as a member of the National Assembly, the communication noted. As a young woman, Ms Bistoquet will maintain the gender representation and strengthen the youth representation in the National Assembly, and also within the majority LDS caucus.
The communication went on to note that the proportion of women and youth in elected positions is today a benchmark of democracy. As the two categories remain under-represented in the legislature, LDS is committed to promote their participation in politics as much as possible. LDS is confident that Ms Bistoquet will perform with excellence as a representative of the party and that she will meet with success the challenges in her role as a member of the legislature and in the mission of LDS in the governance of the country. We call on all the people of Seychelles to support her in her new role of national leadership, the communication added.
