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A woman voting the Seychelles election

A woman voting the Seychelles election

Secretary-General Releases Seychelles Election Expert Team Report

24 August 2006

Report released on Presidential Election that took place from 28 to 30 July 2006.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has released the report of the Independent Expert Team which was present in Seychelles for the 2006 Presidential Election that took place from 28 to 30 July 2006.

In a news release issued on 18 August, Mr McKinnon said the experts had reported that the election was credible, allowing for the expression of the will of the Seychellois people.

"I congratulate the people of Seychelles for the peaceful exercise of their democratic rights and take this opportunity to reiterate the Commonwealth's commitment to assist in the future development of their democracy," Mr McKinnon stated.

The Secretary-General noted that the Expert Team's report has recommended a number of changes in the electoral process.

"The report calls for the separation of the State and the ruling party," he said. "It also calls for the establishment of an independent Public Service Commission, so as to ensure civil service employment is not affected by any transition of power. The team has also urged the establishment of an Electoral Commission to enhance good governance. The report further notes the need for inter-party dialogue, and a vibrant and independent media."

Members of the Expert Team were: Omar Jallow, Acting Secretary-General of the People's Progressive Party, The Gambia; Linnette Vassell, Chair of the Women's Resource and Outreach Centre, Jamaica; and Mooroogessen Veerasamy, Principal Electoral Officer, Mauritius.

The team was asked by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to observe preparations for the Presidential Election, the polling, counting and results processes, and the overall electoral environment. The decision to send the team followed an invitation from the Electoral Commissioner of Seychelles, Hendrick Gappy, in February 2006.

Members of the Expert Team were in Seychelles from 16 July to 6 August 2006. The Secretary-General has sent their report to the President of Seychelles, the Electoral Commissioner, the main political parties that contested the election and Commonwealth governments.

The full text of the Report of the Expert Team is available on the Commonwealth Secretariat website http://www.thecommonwealth.org/. Follow the 'Our Work', and 'Peace and Democracy' links.

The election was won by James Michel of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front.

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 299, 23 August 2006

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