Elections: What happens if no one gets 50% of the votes cast?

The Presidential elections are set for the 19th, 20th and 21st May 2011. Four Presidential candidates are taking part, these are the incumbent President of the Republic of Seychelles Mr James Michel of the Parti Lepep, Leader of Opposition Mr Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party, Mr Ralph Volcere of the New Democratic Party and Mr Philippe Boulle as an independent candidate.

In order to be elected President, a candidate must obtain more than 50% of the votes cast if 3 or more candidates are running. In the past elections this has always happened and this was always expected to happen. According to the law, if no one manages to poll over 50% of the votes cast in an election with 3 or more candidates, then there will have to be a further round of voting.

This further round of voting will include only the 2 candidates which have polled the highest and the second highest number of votes (although if there are ties, then the law provides so that all equal first may participate, and also all equal seconds and if all candidates obtain the exact number of polled votes then all candidates may run again).

The law also states that any further round of voting must take place not less than 7 days and not more than 14 days from the preceding round of voting.

The Robing Room is the official blog of the Seychelles Legal Environment Website (sites.google.com/site/theseychelleslegalenvironment), the only website about the Seychelles Legal Environment that is constantly updated.