Presidential runoff in Seychelles between Ramkalawan and Herminie

Voters across the Seychelles began casting ballots this week in a tightly contested election that will determine the nation’s next president and a 35-seat National Assembly. Early voting for residents on outer islands and special polling for the elderly and essential workers began on Thursday, with most voters turning out on Saturday. The electoral authority said on Sunday that no presidential candidate had passed the 50 percent threshold, leaving the two leading contenders, opposition veteran Patrick Herminie and incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan, to face a runoff after Herminie won 48.8 percent and Ramkalawan 46.4 percent.

Authorities said polling stations opened on time and voting proceeded smoothly, with long lines reported at many centers. Officials gave differing totals for registered voters, citing figures of roughly 73,000 to just over 77,000 eligible voters; ballots were cast for eight presidential contenders and 125 candidates contesting parliamentary seats. Counting began after most polling stations closed in the evening and final tallies were released the next day.

Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest who defeated the long-ruling party in 2020, sought a second...