SEYCHELLES: parliamentary elections National Assembly, 1998

SEYCHELLES
Parliamentary Chamber: National Assembly

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1998

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Chamber:

National Assembly

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

20 March 1998
22 March 1998

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament. General elections had previously been held in July 1993.

Background and outcome of elections:

On 4 February 1998, President of the Republic France Albert René (Seychelles People’s Progressive Front - SPPF) announced that legislative and presidential polling would be held simultaneously in March.
In both contests, the socialist SPPF was challenged by the Democratic Party (DP), led by former President James Mancham, and the United Opposition (UO) headed by Rev. Wavel Ramkalawan. These two forces, however, could not conclude a pact, thus effectively making the SPPF victories foregone conclusions. In the National Assembly, the latter increased its total from 27 to 30 seats and the UO replaced the DP in second place. A joint Commonwealth-Francophone observer team deemed the polling generally free and fair although it expressed some concern over opposition allegations of vote-buying by the ruling party.
President René, who had ousted Mr. Mancham in a 1977 military coup and enjoyed widespread support while being credited, among other things, with ushering in a generous social welfare system, was for his part easily re-elected for another five-year term; on 30 March, he effected a minor reshuffle of the Council of Ministers.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (20 March 1998): Elections results

Number of registered electors 54,847

Voters 47,568 (86.7%)

Blank or invalid ballot papers 1,205

Valid votes 46,363

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Votes %

Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) 28,610 61.7

United Opposition (UO) 12,084 26.1

Democratic Party (DP) 5,609 12.1

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total Gain/Loss

Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) 30 +3

United Opposition (UO) 3 +2

Democratic Party (DP) 1 -4

Comments:

One seat added since last elections

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 26

Women: 8

Distribution of seats according to age:

31-35 years 8

36-40 years 11

41-45 years 5

46-50 years 6

51-55 years 3

Over 55 years 1

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Party officials 8

Senior civil servants 7

Businessmen 7

Doctors 3

Lawyers 3

Teachers 1

Others 5

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for SEYCHELLES <<<

Chamber:
	National Assembly
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	20 March 1998 22 March 1998
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament. General elections had previously been held in July 1993.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 4 February 1998, President of the Republic France Albert René (Seychelles People’s Progressive Front - SPPF) announced that legislative and presidential polling would be held simultaneously in March. In both contests, the socialist SPPF was challenged by the Democratic Party (DP), led by former President James Mancham, and the United Opposition (UO) headed by Rev. Wavel Ramkalawan. These two forces, however, could not conclude a pact, thus effectively making the SPPF victories foregone conclusions. In the National Assembly, the latter increased its total from 27 to 30 seats and the UO replaced the DP in second place. A joint Commonwealth-Francophone observer team deemed the polling generally free and fair although it expressed some concern over opposition allegations of vote-buying by the ruling party. President René, who had ousted Mr. Mancham in a 1977 military coup and enjoyed widespread support while being credited, among other things, with ushering in a generous social welfare system, was for his part easily re-elected for another five-year term; on 30 March, he effected a minor reshuffle of the Council of Ministers.

Round no 1 (20 March 1998): Elections results
Number of registered electors	54,847
Voters	47,568 (86.7%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	1,205
Valid votes	46,363

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF)	28,610	61.7
United Opposition (UO)	12,084	26.1
Democratic Party (DP)	5,609	12.1

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF)	30	+3
United Opposition (UO)	3	+2
Democratic Party (DP)	1	-4

Distribution of seats according to age:
31-35 years	8
36-40 years	11
41-45 years	5
46-50 years	6
51-55 years	3
Over 55 years	1
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Party officials	8
Senior civil servants	7
Businessmen	7
Doctors	3
Lawyers	3
Teachers	1
Others	5