My Election Diary
I flew into Mahe on the Saturday from Dubai. As usual, there was an abundance of seats to choose from on the Emirates Airbus, as the aircraft was less than half full. I could not help noticing the large contingent of Indian workers heading for Mahe. Four and a half hours later we approached Mahe. No matter how many times one flies into Mahe airspace, that view just takes your breadth away.
The newly updated arrivals lounge looked impressive. It seemed more welcoming and better organised than on previous trips. Even the immigration officers seemed more efficient and professional this time around. The long queues in sweaty conditions are now history. In its place were more desks, more officials and smaller queues in an air-conditioned environment.
In the queue behind me, a returning Seychellois family loudly remarked that, ‘with an airport like this, people should vote for JJ’. It transpired that they lived in Switzerland and had been invited by the ruling party to come over and vote. I later discovered that there were a few of those ‘all expenses paid trip’. I hasten to add that mine was not included.
Into the baggage hall and again I was impressed with the speed at which the baggages were processed. In the past, this had been a source of frustration. This time around, the improvement was noticeable. Less than half an hour from landing, I cleared customs and saw the smiling faces of relatives and friends. It made the trip all worthwhile. What a good feeling to be home!
On Sunday, I joined a green motorcade and headed for Anse Royale where the opposition final rally was to take place. On the way up, we came across convoys of red supporters heading for Victoria. They had hired all the TATA buses and for the first time I realised that they were still a formidable force. There were lots of friendly banter along the way but I did not witness any violence. It was more like a carnival atmosphere with both sides showing respect for one another.
The Anse Royale gathering was magical. The crowd was unbelievable and it was easy to see why the sheer scale of numbers present could lead those in charge to get carried away. The podium was packed with artists, politicians of all abilities, turncoats and wannabe’s. As usual, Ramkalawan did not disappoint this particular audience. His stage presence is formidable. It is at times like these that his training as a priest comes in handy.
We left Anse Royale at 7.30 p.m and slowly headed back to Victoria. By then, the red supporters were making their way back to the south. The banter from earlier on in the afternoon was again re-enacted. However under the cover of darkness and under the influence of alcohol, some uncontrollable elements from both sides engaged in sporadic skirmishes. The most sinister of which happened at Pointe Larue where red supporters gathered at Donald Kadede’s shop and pelted us with stones. As one who took part in the coup of 1977, Mr Kadede seems to have the status of an untouchable. The Police were present but as usual did nothing.
Monday, being the first day of the cooling off period, things got back to normal. Most people respected that period by not wearing party political attires and refrained from provoking the other side. Most political symbols on vehicles were removed voluntarily. It was a sign of maturity, which impressed me immensely. I was later to witness SPPF activists working frantically in more than one district to influence floating voters.
The week leading to the elections was peaceful. Then two incidents happened which dominated the news headlines. Someone released some sort of gas in a packed Barclays bank in Victoria. The gas affected a few people. Without having all the facts in hand, the Commissioner of Police went on National TV and made unfounded accusations. This was politically motivated and directed at Mr Andre Beaufond’s security firm. Mr Beaufond is a high profile opposition supporter.
The gaffe from the Police Commissioner irritated people from his own camp. I understand from well informed sources that some high ranking army officer by the name of Wahive, is now being trained to take over as Commissioner of Police. Rumour also persists that Mukesh has been sidetracked. Unusually, he was nowhere to be seen during the campaign trail. Patrick Vel is rumoured to be the new boss at SMB.
Another incident that dominated the news and rumour mills was the arrest of a few guys at Bel Eau. The police fired rubber bullets and somehow the army got involved as the incident happened close to their base. Sticks and machetes were found in the car that was stopped. The driver got away but the occupants were soon rounded up.
Again the Commissioner of Police went on TV and inflamed the situation by categorically stating that these guys were hell bent on terrorising voters. It was a false statement. I later spoke to the young owner of the car who I happened to know and he confirmed that this was a heroine deal gone wrong. I urge him to walk into a solicitor’s office and give himself up as at the time he was still on the run.
On the Thursday, I attended a combined special election church service. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the candidates not only attend the service but also sat on the same bench. Half way through the service, the Anglican bishop got them to link up and hold hands to the applause of the congregation.
It was a wonderful image of peace and unity but unfortunately the SBC was not in attendance and so the population never got to see the image of the President and the leader of the Opposition grasping each other’s hands, smiling and being civil to one another. That was a very powerful image, which would have reduced tension amongst the population. The SBC chose not to cover the event.
Saturday, the day before the election on Mahe, I witnessed some panic buying of mainly foodstuff and drinks. It had been announced that no drinks would be on sale to any Seychellois on Election Day. So naturally, those with the means to stock up did exactly that. There was also a fear that should the SPPF lose the election, a curfew would have been imposed. On that basis, people made sure that they had supplies for a few days.
Sunday, Election Day. This was a peaceful and dignified day. I went around a few polling stations and witnessed the calmness and enthusiasm with which the electorate embraced the democratic process. On two occasions, I came across SPPF unofficial roadblocks where their local zone managers in exchange for ID cards, were dispensing cash. At Roche Caiman, Dr Ram D was openly seen engaging in such dealings. The Police stood nearby and chose not to get involved.
At Mont Fleuri, I watched helplessly as loads of Indians voted but I was not allowed to although I hold a Seychelles passport, have held an ID Card for the last 10 years, own business interests, bank accounts and properties. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
At Les Mamelles, I witnessed some frustrating first time voters being turned away. Although their names appeared on the voters register, it was flagged with two asterisks. They were told that the reason they cannot vote was because they turned 18 on or after the 28th of July. I fail to understand what the issue was as their names were automatically added to the voters register.
At St.Louis, a well-known opposition supporter turned up to vote only to be told that she is registered at Port Glaud. She voted at St.Louis in 2001 and now lives on Cerf Island. I heard of a few incidences were people were not able to vote as they had been inexplicably shifted to some far flung district from where they normally reside. In spite of those irregularities on the voter list, it has to be said that on the day itself, the electoral process at the polling station seemed fair and transparent.
Late Sunday night, I retired to my little pad to watch the results on TV. I had been reliably informed that all the counts would take place at the individual polling stations and the results faxed through to the electoral commissioner at the National Library HQ. Therefore I expected that by midnight the results would be known. I should have known better.
For three long hours, SBC fed us on a diet of the oldest Australian comedies they could find. By the time the result was announced on TV at around 1.30 in the morning, the rest of the world had known the results for a good two hours before the Seychellois people. Friends rang me from abroad to inform me of the results.
By Monday morning, the people had spoken and I for one respected their choice. The new President had said that he was going to be fair towards all Seychellois. He seemed genuine but only time will tell. So, I headed for St.Louis to be with friends of a similar political persuasion so that together we could lick our wounds and drown our disappointment. It’s amazing what a few bottles of Eku can psychologically do for your self esteem when you’re feeling that low. The reds had taken control of all the main roads as they headed for their big motorcade around the island. They were entitled to do so and I stayed out of their way.
By eleven am, the neighbourhood youngsters and some elders, still proudly wearing their green attires gathered by the St.Louis reservoir (their usual haunt) for a post elction analysis. They were disappointed but dignified in defeat. Their disappointment soon gave way to a celebration. They all chipped in and soon the beers were flowing and everyone burst into the usual chorus of ‘nou tou nou la pou mem rezon’. However this was not too last.
The locals in the area who had supported the reds called in the SSU police. Armed with AK47 and sporting SPPF paraphernalia, they turned up in two unmarked hired vehicles. Almost immediately, they started harassing and pointing at the people who were peacefully gathered. They soon realised that those guys would not be easily intimidated. So they drove off and seconds later a pick up truck with a dozen armed young teenage soldiers turned up. The commanding officer said that he had received reports of disturbances. After a lengthy chat, I convinced him that the reports were false. They left without any incidents. After a short dialogue with the gathered crowd, we got them to disperse to avoid any further confrontation.
On Monday afternoon, I made my way to Plaisance for yet another house call and to more post election alcoholic indulgence thinly disguised as an analytical session. By then things had started to hot up. The various security agencies supposedly backing up the Police, had started to take the law into their own hands.
A security firm belonging to Mr Cliff Loizeau who happens to be a high profile SPPF supporter, went on a rampage around the Plaisance and La Louise area. Using megaphones they openly harassed SNP supporters with swear words that cannot be repeated on this site. It was a disgraceful episode from what I now consider to be a bunch of thugs in uniform. It has to be said that the youths of Plaisance gave as good as they got.
On Tuesday morning, I made my way to town to conduct some business. To my astonishment, the town was functioning as normal. It was as if nothing had ever happened over the weekend. Everyone was going about his or her business as usual. The Politics of the previous few weeks had given way to normal trading and friendly banter.
Once again on the surface at least, the Country seemed at ease with itself. But this is a false sense of security. There is a strong under current of anger and bitterness which belies the calm exterior of these islands. My hope is that our new President stays true to his words and includes everyone in the process of Nation Building. This is a Country bitterly divided and it is only a matter of time before this division spills into the open unless the victors go out of their way and extend the hand of fairness and friendship to those who feel they are being oppressed.
Jg
courtesy AKS