The Joint AU-COMESA Election Observer Mission (AU-COMESA EOM) to the September 25 – 27 General elections in Seychelles has declared that the elections were held in a peaceful and orderly manner. Mission leader H.E. Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, former Prime Minister of Lesotho stated that based on its observation, the election process also followed international practice and the law of the island.

The Mission noted that Seychellois were able to freely exercise their Constitutional rights in peaceful elections and has implored all parties to manage the next stages in accordance with the law. There was no clear winner in the Presidential contest where incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan got 46.4% against the main opposition leader Patrick Herminie who got 48.8% of the vote. According to the law, the island country needs to hold a rerun on 9, 10 and 11 October 2025 for the Presidential elections in order for the winner to have 50 + 1 percent of the votes.

“The AU-COMESA EOM therefore implores all parties to manage the remaining processes including the second round peacefully. The Mission urges aggrieved parties to use the legal channels to address any concerns they may have,’’ the Statement read in part.

The Mission made several commendation practices which the region can emulate which includes among many others having adequate polling staff, providing appropriate adjustable polling booths, timely updates on number of electors who had voted, discipline and respect by the locals towards polling staff and high representation of women among polling staff. 

Other recommendations cited to improve the election process were made to the Government and relevant officers such as the Seychelles Police Force, the National Electoral Commission, Civil society organisations and the Media.

The preliminary statement was issued at the press conference hosted by the SADC Electoral Observation Mission led by Hon. Justice Andrew K. C. Nyirenda, former Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi.