July 7, 2006

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS JULY 2006

JOINT PROCLAMATION TO THE NATION FROM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC, ANGLICAN & PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLY CHURCHES

The much anticipated announcement from the Electoral Commissioner setting the dates 28th, 29th and 30th July 2006 for Presidential Election marks an important chapter in the life of our nation. As time for election approaches the Church calls to the nation the place God holds in the Constitution. The fact that it seeks the guidance of God, and that Seychelles is a devoutly religious country makes it necessary for the Church to remind itself and the nation of its role and function. This proclamation serves to fulfill this expectation. We, therefore, offer this common message from the Church in response to this announcement.

Church and Society

The Church does not exist for the sake of the Church; it was founded by Jesus Christ as a powerful sign of the Kingdom of God. The mission of the Church is to lead people to this Kingdom by offering the values of divine sources: justice and peace, truth and honesty, and love at all times. We believe that these values can enlighten the political organization of society. This is why we are appealing to all Seychellois to exercise their vote in a prayerful, thoughtful and serious manner. The right of vote is a civic duty and all eligible voters should exercise this right. Our nation’s economic, social and moral future and stability depends on it.

Prayerful Reflection

We invite each of us according to his or her belief to pray fervently during this period of election that God may enlighten our hearts and guide our Nation. The Church in calling the nation to prayer does so in order:

• To lend a neutral and common voice to the forthcoming proceedings

• To assure the nation that the Church is paying attention to national concerns

• To help all citizens to approach their right and duty as voters in the proper manner

• To remind those in government that their authority comes from the citizens of the country and ultimately from God himself. Their decisions, actions and declarations as leaders are accountable to the nation and to God

• To give thanks to God for all the blessings bestowed on our nation.

The Gift of Freedom

Every person is blessed with the gift of freedom, a gift which comes from God and is enshrined in the Constitution of the country. The exercise of this gift enables us to choose and thus carries considerable responsibility.

When we participate in the electoral process we affirm this gift of choice as the highest form of civic duty. However, while we recognise that each may have a personal choice in the candidates they support, we stress the need for respect of each others right to make this choice in the spirit of freedom, tolerance and political maturity.

To this end, we plead with political candidates and their respective supporters to engage in actions, use language and words, promote slogans and posters that respect political opponents and safeguard the peace, unity and integrity of our nation.

Free and Fair Election

Democracy is a sacred right that is safeguarded in the Constitution. The ideal democracy views all citizens to be of the same value and importance. Each citizen has the right to be respected; therefore, any pressure, any threat or even intimidation should not be tolerated. We strongly recommend that:

During the election campaigning and voting period citizens need to be assured of a peaceful, harmonious and stable democratic environment. Every candidate should be able to express himself/herself under the same condition. In this regard we look to the media to approach this matter with absolute fairness.

Freedom in organising meetings, clear and transparent financing policy and distribution of funds to the different parties should be rigorously observed.

We should be attentive to the sick and elderly during the time of election. Let us be gentle and patient with them so that they can exercise their right to vote with a dignity and freedom that fully respect their frail condition.

Advice to Voters

A word of advice to the voters:

• As you proceed to exercise your right to vote think seriously before doing so; pause to consider the merits of the candidates and their capacity to propose and ability to execute a viable vision, project and plan in the interest of everyone.

• A citizen who respects himself/herself does not sell his/her vote in exchange for any advantage (money, alcohol, gifts, promises and such like)

• To exchange or sell ones vote is a cowardly act which goes against all civic duty

• It is a grave social and moral sin to pay people to vote or not to vote; this erodes political fairness, justice and honesty.

• The challenge here is for both voters and candidates to exercise moral and honourable behaviour

Voting Procedures

On the day of election, let us honour the right to secrecy and all the rules associated with a democratically run election such as: the age of voters, the honesty and objective role of polling officers and all other agents in the polling stations. The aim is to strive to conduct an election to which at the end of the day all of us should be able to say that it was truly “Free and Fair”. Ultimately, it should withstand any scrutiny or adverse challenge. For this to take place the role of the Electoral Commissioner and support staff is of vital importance.

Resist Violence

Violence creates an ugly and hostile atmosphere. There is never any common good resulting from violent activities; and nobody wins because people live in fear and as the famous adage says: ‘violence begets violence’.

We commend to all political parties and their leaders the responsibility and self discipline that will avoid provocation by words and actions of opponents which often lead to violent confrontations.

We call upon the police officers to be ever vigilant and to exercise their duty with maturity, restraint and professionalism. As with the Judiciary, the police should resist the temptation to take sides, and bring to justice those accused of disrupting the peace from any political party.

The same applies to the armed forces. In the unlikely event that they should be called upon during the electoral campaign and on Election Day they should not appear or act in a manner that could provoke and/or intimidate the peace and stability of the entire electoral process.

Elections’ Result

We urge all political candidates, their supporters and members of the army and police forces to respect the eventual outcome of the elections.

Conclusion

We welcome the presence of international observers and remind the nation that the world is looking at the conduct and outcome of the elections. The reason for elections is seek the will of the people as to who may be their choice to govern them. By showing our political maturity and national commitment let us continue to make Seychelles proud; a model for democracy and respected by the international community.

We pray for the presidential and vice presidential candidates and their respective supporters.

We, as Seychellois, pride ourselves in being a peace loving people, and the way we exercise our civic and political duty will continue to bear testimony to this truth.

May God our protector, provider and guide, through

His Spirit continue to bless and strengthen our country and people

In His Name we pray! Amen!!!

Bishop Denis Wiehe     Bishop Santosh Marray                               Pastor Hermitte Freminot