VICTORIA, Seychelles — Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) officially launched its manifesto for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections on Monday at a fully packed International Conference Centre of Seychelles, with the ceremony also streamed online.
Presidential candidate Wavel Ramkalawan declared that over the past five years, LDS had delivered responsible and decisive government that laid a firm foundation for future progress and prosperity. He said the party had rebuilt the economy, improved infrastructure, reformed government and strengthened institutions, even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and other international shocks.
Themed ‘Beyond 2030 — Our future as one nation, making Seychelles stronger and better for you’, the manifesto is divided into 15 sections, with one chapter, ‘From Past to Future’, recalling how the LDS government managed the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges. Key proposals include higher income and improved standards of living for workers and families, public service reforms to achieve service excellence, a major infrastructure programme to support national development goals, and sustained economic growth to secure higher incomes, stronger reserves and development opportunities.
Vice-presidential candidate Ahmed Afif presented the policy programme and was introduced as the government’s chief spokesman on policy and Cabinet decisions. He also presented the list of 19 LDS candidates for the National Assembly election. Other speakers, including Roger Mancienne, Gervais Henrie and Bernard Georges, expanded on themes of education, youth, community development, housing, opportunities for young people, arts and culture, and sports for all. President Ramkalawan also announced plans to build a new hospital within the next five years, deliver a modern airport with expansion and modernisation of the seaport, an improved road network, and additional land reclamation projects.
