Seychelles votes in presidential run-off

Seychelles President James Michel yesterday urged voters to respect results in an unprecedented second round run-off against opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan on the final day of polls.

Residents in the Indian Ocean archipelago voted yesterday in the third day of polling, with Michel facing the first serious challenge to his decade-long rule.

Michel, 71, who is seeking a third five-year term, was forced into a second-round run-off against Ramkalawan after falling short of an outright majority in the first round in early December, when he won just under 48 percent.

Ramkalawan, 54, an Anglican priest who took 35 percent of the vote on his fifth run at the country's top job, now has the backing of the second runner-up, Patrick Pillay, a former foreign and health minister, who won almost 15 percent.

"The choice is easier this time round," Michel said after voting, according to the Seychelles News Agency, noting the options were himself or Ramkalawan.

"I am asking everyone to come down to exercise their rights... and choose the person they believe has worked and can do a better job for his country," he added.

Voting on the most remote islands began Wednesday and continued Thursday, with the main vote yesterday on the main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, home to most of the Seychelles' estimated 91,000 citizens.

"This time the process is faster," said election official Charles Loizeau, head of Grand Anse district on the island of Praslin.

Polls opened at 7:00 am (0300 GMT), and close 12 hours later, with results expected today.

"I hope that the vote is peaceful," Michel added. "I am also calling on everyone and political parties contesting the election to respect the results when this is announced."

Tourism and fisheries are the pillars of the Seychelles' economy, with its white-sand beaches and tropical forests a favourite with well-heeled newly-weds.

A former British colony, the Seychelles is made up of 115 islands lying off the coast of east Africa, some scattered up to 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the capital Victoria.

Turnout was high in the first round, at over 87 percent, the electoral commission said.