The Seychelles has started voting on Wednesday in the second round of a presidential election in which incumbent James Michel is seeking a third. It is the first time a run-off ballot is being held in Seychelles, where voting runs over three days because of huge distances between some of the 115 islands that are home to 93,000 people.
In the first round, Michel, who can only serve three elected terms, secured 48 percent of the vote, just short of the more than 50 percent needed to win outright, against 34 percent for Ramkalawan, who now has the backing of three of the four opposition candidates from the first round.
“I’m confident of victory,” Michel said in a statement. “I’ve been working hard and the proof is there for all to see.”
Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party echoed a common refrain among opponents who say the nation needs a new face at the top. “The majority of the people of Seychelles want change,” he said.
Seychelles’ economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism, is forecast to expand by more than 4 percent in 2015, according to the International Monetary Fund. The nation has also been working to build up a financial services sector.
Results of the election are expected late on Friday.
