Opposition's Ramkalawan In Historic Seychelles Vote Win
Faizan Hashmi Published October 25, 2020 | 07:30 PM
Victoria, Seychelles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Oct, 2020 ) :Wavel Ramkalawan on Sunday won the Seycelles presidential election, the first opposition victory since the Indian Ocean archipelago's independence from Britain over four decades ago.
Ramkalawan -- an Anglican priest who won enough votes in the first round to clinch the presidency on his sixth attempt -- called for unity after his victory.
"It is important to find how we can reconcile our people to go forward," the 59-year-old said as his jubilant supporters began celebrating in the streets of the capital Victoria.
Incumbent Danny Faure, 58, running under the recently renamed United Seychelles party which had been in power since 1977, conceded defeat and wished his successor "good luck".
Ramkalawan of the Linyon Democratik Seselwa (Seychelles Democratic Alliance), garnered 54.9 percent of the vote to 43.5 percent for Faure to become the fifth president of the Seychelles, the electoral commission said.
The opposition also won the legislative election that took place from Thursday to Saturday alongside the presidential poll, with Ramkalawan's party alone taking 25 seats, or two thirds of the parliament.
The United Seychelles party won just 10 seats.
- 'Major milestone' - The opposition, narrowly defeated in a presidential election in 2015 and buoyed by a landmark victory in a parliamentary poll a year later, had been hoping for its first presidential win in the 44 years since independence from Britain.
All previous presidents have come from the United Seychelles party, with Ramkalawan losing the 2015 race by just 200 votes.
The US State Department hailed the election as a "another major milestone in Seychelle's democracy," according to a statement.
It said Washington looks "forward to expanding cooperation on a wide range of mutual interests including maritime security, good governance, and fighting drug abuse, piracy, and terrorism".
The campaign had taken place mainly over social media, with rallies banned because of the coronavirus.
The Seychelles has recorded only 149 cases, mostly imported, but the pandemic has been a burning campaign issue as restrictions on global travel hit the tourism industry -- a major sector for the country and employer for many of its 98,000 people.
Visitor numbers have collapsed since March in the archipelago nation of 115 islands, normally a popular destination for honeymooners and paradise-seekers drawn by its fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
The economy has slowed significantly since the start of the pandemic and unemployment has risen to 6.3 percent, according to government figures.
While average income is among the highest in Africa, the national statistics agency says about 40 percent of Seychellois live in poverty because of the high cost of living.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago