VICTORIA, Seychelles — Incumbent president and Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) candidate Wavel Ramkalawan, who secured 29,230 votes in the first round of the presidential election, has said he senses that Seychellois want power to be balanced, with an Assembly led by United Seychelles but an executive run by a different party.
‘Even though the Assembly passes laws, the president must assent to them, so that relationship itself creates the checks and balances our democracy needs. I believe that on October 11, Seychellois will vote with this in mind, and this is very good for our democracy,’ he said during a special runoff interview.
On the more than 10,000 registered voters who did not vote in the first round, Mr Ramkalawan said he had met many of them and congratulated them for making a statement by staying home. ‘That frustration kept them home, and I have heard that message and I am already working on how to address it. But I believe they now recognise the danger of what almost happened. We could have taken a step back toward a one-party dictatorship. That is why I am confident that in the rerun, those voters will go to the polls,’ he said.
On the conduct of the campaign, Mr Ramkalawan said he has always believed in a quiet campaign and decided not to hold any political rallies in the runoff to avoid conflict. He expressed disappointment at the conduct of certain rival rallies and called for a civilised, dignified process ahead of polling day.
