Voters in the African island nation of Seychelles have concluded casting their ballots in a closely contested presidential run-off election. The electoral contest pits the incumbent president, Wavel Ramkalawan, against the opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, in a crucial democratic exercise for the nation of approximately 120,000 people.

Polls officially opened on Saturday for the more than 77,000 registered voters, with main polling stations commencing operations after 7 am (03:00 GMT). However, early voting provisions had already been made, allowing some citizens to cast their votes since Thursday at designated special locations, including elderly care homes, schools, and several of the outer islands, ensuring broader participation.

This final round run-off was necessitated by the results of the initial vote, where neither candidate secured an outright majority. Patrick Herminie had initially led with 48.8 percent of the vote, narrowly ahead of Wavel Ramkalawan, who garnered 46.4 percent. The results of this decisive run-off are anticipated to be announced on Sunday.

The political landscape leading up to this election has been dynamic. Herminie's United Seychelles party, which governed the nation for an extended period between 1977 and 2022 before a period out of power, has recently demonstrated a resurgence. In last month's parliamentary elections, the party successfully secured 15 out of the 26 available seats, indicating significant regained ground and setting the stage for a strong challenge in the presidential race.

Beyond the direct electoral competition, several contentious issues have marked this electoral cycle, notably a controversial land lease agreement. The outgoing government’s decision to grant a Qatari company a 70-year lease to construct a luxury resort on Assumption Island for US$20 million has emerged as a central flashpoint in the campaign. This project has drawn severe criticism, particularly from environmental groups, who have launched a legal challenge to halt its development. These groups argue that the proposed resort poses a significant threat to a fragile ecosystem located perilously close to the UNESCO-protected Aldabra atoll, an area renowned for being home to 400 unique species, highlighting the delicate balance between economic development and ecological preservation.