Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team
We publish below excerpts of the report of the Commonwealth Expert Team that observed the Presidential Elections of the 28 – 30 July 2006. We leave it to our readers to draw their own conclusions.
COMMONWEALTH EXPERT TEAM
28 – 30 July 2006
August 2006
Dear Secretary General,
We wish to express our thanks for your invitation to observe the Seychelles Presidential Election on 28-30 July 2006 and are pleased to submit our report.
Our Terms of Reference required us to assess the preparations for the election; the polling, counting and results process; and the overall electoral environment. Pursuant to this, we conducted wide ranging consultations with the Electoral Commissioner and his staff, political parties and the presidential candidates, civil society including religious leaders, Commonwealth High Commissioners, representatives of the media, police and the general populace during our deployment in
There are a number of issues that need to be addressed by the people of
Mr Omar Jallow Ms Linnette Vassell Mr Moorooges sen Veerasamy PDSM
CONCLUSIONS
Having witnessed the latter part of the campaign, and following discussion with a number of key stakeholders, as well as our observation of the poll, count and results processes, the Team believes that the 2006 Presidential elections were credible and allowed for the expression of the will of the Seychellois people.
The Electoral Commissioner and his staff organised and conducted the elections in a professional and efficient manner. We commend his efforts to ensure the fullest possible enfranchisement of registered voters, the sensitivity to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, and the provision of facilities to maintain effective communications between the polling stations and his office. The voter education programme conducted by his Office was also very good.
While many expressed satisfaction with the mandate and functioning of the Electoral Commissioner, the Team did hear some concerns as to the impartiality of the Office. These concerns related particularly to the concentration of extensive powers in one person who may be subjected to political influence.
The Team felt that the Code of Conduct which set out acceptable standards of behaviour relating to electioneering during the campaign period was respected in large part. We believe that it provides a useful guide for the appropriate conduct of all stakeholders in the election period, and can be a constructive vehicle for enhancing the electoral and political environment.
The Team was satisfied that the arrangements among the political parties and the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) for the allocation of time on the television and radio for party political broadcasts during the campaign period worked well, and to the satisfaction of all parties.
We noted that the electoral environment was characterised by concern and fears about several matters such as possible victimization, withdrawal of welfare payments, security of job tenure and some anxiety related to the transition of power should either party win.
The very positive response among leaders and citizens to the churches’ guidelines on good conduct in politics and to the national prayer service, could lay a basis for a more active involvement of civil society in processes to enhance democratic governance. This may help to allay some of the fears and concerns noted above.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The newly elected President of Seychelles in his inaugural speech on 1 August 2006 stated:
“ I will persevere on the road we have taken together, on which we invite all Seychellois, without exception, to join us and play their part: that road that leads to unity, peace, fraternity and opportunity for all. Together we will continue to progress and to reap the fruits of our collective effort”.
These sentiments are shared by the vast of majority of persons and groups with whom we spoke, and it is in this context that we put forward the following recommendations for consideration:
• that, consistent with the recommendations contained in the Report of the 1998 Joint Commonwealth/La Francophonie Observer Group, measures be taken towards the “further improvement of the effective separation of state and party political functions”. In this context, the Team recommends consideration of the establishment of an independent Public Service Commission to address, inter alia, appointments and promotion of employees. This may help to allay current fears and suspicion focused on the tenure of contracts and the issue of security clearance for employment, as well as build a sustainable capacity in a permanent civil service;
• in the interest of increasing the opportunity for participation in strengthening the electoral system and to enhance good governance, the Government may wish to consider the establishment of an Electoral Commission based on international good practice;
• the initiation of a mechanism to facilitate inter-party dialogue to promote open discussion on issues of common concern, so as to cultivate a climate of greater trust and mutual respect;
• encouragement of dialogue and collaboration between civil society, the government and stakeholders for the continuing development and stability of
• imposition of limits to campaign financing. There should be strict enforcement of the existing legal requirement to declare campaign expenditure, and we recommend that sources of donations should also be declared. These measures could enhance transparency and accountability, go a long way to level the electoral playing field and foster a more positive political environment; and
• an enabling democratic environment should be encouraged further by addressing the current prohibitive cost of establishing and operating radio and television stations by private and/or community interests.