Assembly Passes Controversial Amendment to Political Parties Act Amid Heated Debate
The National Assembly has approved the Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following a lively and at times tense debate that laid bare deep ideological divisions on the future of political engagement and party financing in Seychelles.
Touted by its proponents as a mechanism to “strengthen democratic institutions through structured capacity building,” the bill was championed by members of the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), who unanimously voted in favour. Opposition members from United Seychelles (US), however, stood in firm opposition, voting as a bloc against the bill.
The legislation introduces new guidelines for political party operations, including revised requirements for international funding and donor disclosures. It also outlines tighter rules around capacity-building initiatives supported by foreign entities—a point that drew heavy criticism from the opposition.
Critics argue that the amendment could be weaponised to restrict opposition access to much-needed international partnerships and development aid. “This bill opens the door for selective interpretation and could be used to silence dissent under the guise of regulation,” one opposition member warned during the session.
On the other side of the aisle, government-aligned MPs defended the move as a necessary step to ensure transparency and accountability. “We are not here to stifle political voices—we are here to modernise our democracy and prevent exploitation by foreign interests,” a senior LDS parliamentarian argued.
While the bill ultimately passed, its journey through the Assembly has highlighted growing concern among the public about political fairness, media access, and the balance of power ahead of the hotly anticipated September 2025 general elections.
Whether the amendment will foster a more robust political landscape—or deepen partisan divides—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the rules of the game are changing, and all parties are being forced to adapt.
