Five things to know about Seychelles ahead of September elections!

Five things to know about Seychelles ahead of September elections!

By Marian Opeyemi Fasesan — Sele Media Africa

1. When the vote is happening — and who’s running
   General (presidential and National Assembly) elections are scheduled for 27 September 2025. The incumbent, President Wavel Ramkalawan of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), is contesting reelection, and United Seychelles and other parties are fielding challengers as nominations and candidate deposits proceed.
2. Economy: high GDP per capita, tourism and fisheries rule the roost
   Seychelles has one of Africa’s highest GDPs per capita and an economy that depends heavily on tourism and fisheries — sectors that shape the campaign debate because they drive employment and government revenue but are vulnerable to external shocks. World Bank and IMF reporting highlight modest growth in 2024 and projections into 2025 tied to services and tourism recovery.
3. Drug use and trafficking remain a major social and security issue
   Authorities and international partners continue to flag rising trafficking and drug-use challenges — including cases tied to heroin — that have prompted capacity-building with UN agencies and local law-enforcement responses. These issues are prominent in public discussion as candidates outline law-and-order and social-policy responses.
4. Election administration and regional observers are in place
   The Electoral Commission has confirmed preparations (printing ballots, candidate registration steps), and regional bodies such as SADC are deploying observation missions to monitor the September vote — underscoring efforts to ensure credibility and transparency.
5. Key risks for the campaign: inequality, climate vulnerability and organized crime
   While extreme poverty is low by regional standards, public concerns include uneven opportunity, the economic reliance on tourism (vulnerable to global shocks), and risks from organized criminal activity (human trafficking and drugs). Climate change (sea-level and storm risks) also frames long-term policy debate — all factors voters are weighing ahead of polling.

Why this matters for readers of Sele Media Africa: Seychelles’ September vote will determine leadership of a small but strategically placed Indian Ocean state whose economic model (tourism + fisheries), social challenges (drug trafficking/use), and geopolitical ties make its outcome important for regional security, migration and trade dynamics.

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa.

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

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Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Managing Editor of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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