VICTORIA, Seychelles — The candidates who submitted their nominations for the 2025 presidential election have given their first reactions after the close of nomination day, with most welcoming the work of the Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS) and using the occasion to set out the tone of their campaigns. Speaking to the media after submitting his papers, Dr Patrick Herminie of United Seychelles said the process had gone well and that the Commission’s role had been to verify all the documents provided to the ECS, adding that his candidacy was ‘for Seychelles’.
Vincent Padayachy, presidential candidate of the Laliberté party, said the procedure had gone very well, much smoother than he had expected, and that the party had not needed to use the help desk because it was not yet ready. He noted, however, that his party believes the voters’ list should close at a later date to allow more time to rectify issues, and explained that, following the withdrawal of his previous running mate, the party had held a meeting and moved forward accordingly. Robert Moumou, the candidate of the Seychelles People’s National Movement (SPNM) and a first-time candidate, said the process had been long and detailed but that he had managed, having made use of the help desk. He congratulated the ECS for its work, and said he had entered politics because he was concerned about the state of the people and the country, and believed there should be a president who works in the interest of Seychellois. He also stressed that the playing field was not level, given that big parties had the money to pay their candidates while small parties did not. Independent candidate Ralph Volcère, who has taken part in the process before, said he was familiar with how it worked and that the candidates would now await the official draw for the order on the ballot paper.
