VICTORIA, Seychelles — The National Assembly has approved the Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by member for Mont Buxton, Gervais Henrie of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), by 17 votes to seven. The bill seeks to amend Section 29A of the Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) Act to allow political parties to strengthen their institutional, operational and human development through capacity-building and training, particularly with the assistance of donor organisations, whether local or foreign, without contravening the act.
Speaker Roger Mancienne said before the bill was presented that all Assembly members were aware of communication from the Ombudsman and the Seychelles Human Rights Commission, which had raised concerns over the proposed amendment. The amendment, they warned, may give way for constitutional points to be raised.
While the government has supported the principle of party training, the bill had drawn criticism from civil society groups who argue that foreign funding of political parties risks undermining the country’s sovereignty. The amendment now goes through the remaining legislative stages before it can be brought into law.
