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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General releases Seychelles Election Expert Team Report

18 August 2006

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

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 said.

The Secretary-General said 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.”

Note to Editors

Members of the Expert Team were: Mr Omar Jallow, Acting Secretary-General of the People’s Progressive Party, Gambia; Ms Linnette Vassell, Chair of the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre, Jamaica; and Mr 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, Mr 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.

Click here for the full text of the Report

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