Based on the search results for “WATCH LIVE: Seychelles Elections 2025 Update – 25 Sep 2025” by Gambakwe Media, the videodiscusses the upcoming 2025 Seychellois general election.
Here’s a summary of what Gambakwe is likely saying:
- Seychelles Elections 2025: The video is an update on the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for September 27, 2025 [2.1, 2.2].
- Presidential Candidates:
- Wavel Ramkalawan (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa – LDS): The incumbent president is seeking re-election with Ahmed Afif as his running mate [2.1, 2.3, 2.6]. Ramkalawan won the 2020 elections [2.6].
- Patrick Herminie (United Seychelles – US): He is the other confirmed candidate, with Sebastien Pillay as his running mate [2.1, 2.6].
- Key Issues: Voters in Seychelles are concerned about issues such as a drug crisis, environmental challenges, and sovereignty [2.1]. The rising cost of living is also a significant concern, as the nation imports most consumer goods [2.7].
- Electoral System: The president is elected using a two-round system. Members of the National Assembly are elected through a combination of single-member constituencies and proportional representation based on party vote percentages [2.1].
- Campaigning: The campaign officially started with Ramkalawan and Herminie as the main contenders [2.7].
More Details
Voters in Seychelles are currently casting their ballots in the 2025 presidential and National Assembly elections, with voting taking place from September 25 to 27
. The incumbent president, Wavel Ramkalawan, is seeking re-election against several challengers.
Key details about the election
Voting dates: Voting is held over multiple days due to the country’s scattered island geography. The process began with outlying islands and essential workers on Thursday, September 25. Polling stations on the three main islands will open on Saturday, September 27.
Results: Results are expected to be announced on Sunday, September 28.
Key candidates:
Wavel Ramkalawan: The incumbent president, from the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) coalition, is seeking a second five-year term.
Patrick Herminie: The main rival, from the United Seychelles party, which was in power for 43 years until 2020.
Other candidates: The ballot includes eight presidential candidates in total, with others including Marco Francis, a former head of the Chamber of Commerce, and former tourism minister Alain St. Ange.
Runoff possibility: If no presidential candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held.
Context and key issues
Economic performance: President Ramkalawan’s re-election bid comes after a strong post-pandemic economic recovery in the tourism-dependent country.
Election issues: Voters are focused on issues such as sovereignty, the environment, the ongoing drug addiction crisis, and the cost of living.
Election observers: The elections are being monitored by observers from organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and a joint African Union and COMESA mission.
What are the issues in this election
The primary issues dominating the 2025 elections in Seychelles revolve around the economy, a severe drug crisis, environmental protection, and national sovereignty
. Economic issues
Cost of living: A major concern for many voters is the high cost of living, which has been exacerbated by global economic factors.
Post-pandemic recovery: While the incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan has overseen a significant post-pandemic economic recovery driven by tourism, critics like opposition leader Patrick Herminie say the benefits have not been felt by the general population.
Economic diversification: Some candidates, such as former Chamber of Commerce head Marco Francis, have advocated for reducing the country’s reliance on tourism by investing in private sector development.
Drug addiction crisis
Global record: Seychelles is reported to have one of the highest rates of heroin addiction per capita in the world.
Governmental failure: Critics allege that successive governments have failed to effectively tackle the problem, which has reached crisis proportions.
Targeting former officials: Opponents have specifically targeted Herminie, the former head of the national drug abuse agency, for his perceived failure to deal with the crisis during his tenure.
Environmental concerns
Climate change impacts: As a low-lying island nation, Seychelles is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, severe rainfall, and flooding.
Conservation and transparency: Environmental groups are demanding greater transparency from the government on its conservation efforts and are raising concerns about issues like dredging and harm to local wildlife.
Sovereignty and foreign investment
Protecting national interests: Large-scale investment projects from foreign entities have prompted questions over the country’s sovereignty.
Specific concerns: An ongoing constitutional case has been filed by activists against a long-term lease granted to a Qatari company for a hotel and airstrip on Assumption Island, citing concerns that the deal favors foreign interests over national welfare.
Corruption and governance
Campaign focus: Both major parties have faced allegations related to corruption.
Opposition focus: Herminie has campaigned on a promise to combat corruption and has cited specific investment projects as evidence of governmental misconduct.
Reform efforts: While the incumbent president has made attempts to prosecute previous administrations for corruption, these efforts have met with limited success.
Presidential elections
2020: Won by current President Wavel Ramkalawan.
2015: Required a second round to determine the winner.
2011: Held in May.
2006: Won by James Michel.
2001: Won by France-Albert René.
1998: Held at the same time as the National Assembly elections.
1993: The first multiparty elections of the Third Republic.
