Voters in Seychelles are heading to the polls for a crucial runoff election between incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan and opposition leader Patrick Herminie, who outpaced Ramkalawan by over 2 percentage points in the first round.
Ramkalawan, who came to power in 2020, is seeking a second term, touting his management of the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Herminie aims to restore United Seychelles’ control of both the presidency and parliament, promising to lower the retirement age and cancel a contentious hotel project on a UNESCO-listed coral atoll.
The election outcome will determine the country’s leadership and direction, with the winner facing challenges such as climate vulnerability and high heroin use rates.
