Opposition leader Patrick Herminie emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the presidential elections in Seychelles, though he did not surpass the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second round, according to the country’s Electoral Commission (ECS). 

Herminie, from the Seychelles United Party (US), received 48.8% of valid votes, totaling 30,736 ballots, while incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan garnered 46.4% with 29,230 votes. Voter turnout reached 86.5%. 

“Given the absence of an absolute winner in the elections, Seychelles will hold a runoff between the top two candidates,” stated ECS President Wendy Didon at a press briefing.

The second round is scheduled for October 9, 10, and 11, conducted over three voting days since the archipelago comprises 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar, requiring ballots to be transported by boat or plane. 

Most of the voting took place on Mahé Island, home to approximately 90% of the country’s 102,612 inhabitants and the capital, Victoria. Official data shows that 77,045 citizens were called to vote not only for president but also to elect 35 members of the National Assembly for the next five years. 

Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa by population and land area. Its economy relies heavily on tourism and boasts the continent’s highest per capita income, estimated at 17,000 USD according to the World Bank.

The upcoming runoff will be decisive in determining who will lead the island nation for the next five-year term.