Seychelles to hold presidential election run-off

Seychelles will hold a run-off between the top two presidential candidates after neither won a clear majority in election results on Sunday.

Opposition leader Patrick Herminie narrowly won the vote against President Wavel Ramkalawan by 48.8 percent to 46.4 percent, the electoral commission announced.

But candidates must have more than 50 percent to secure victory.

The commission said fresh elections would be held from October 9 to 11.

Seychelles has the highest wealth per capita in Africa — around $18,000 according to the World Bank.

But it lies on a key drug smuggling route between Afghanistan and East Africa that has fuelled one of the highest rates of heroin addiction in the world.

Another key issue in the election has been concern over a Qatari hotel complex being built near the world-renowned Aldabra Atoll marine reserve.

Herminie’s party, United Seychelles, secured victory in parliament elections that were held at the same time, taking 15 of 26 seats.

“We are ready for a second round. We start campaigning tomorrow,” said Herminie in a televised speech.