In the 2025 general elections of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Patrick Matthew Antonio Hermine of United Seychelles won the presidency and his party the majority of seats in the National Assembly. Women’s representation in the National Assembly saw a modest increase.
The Seychellois general elections were held on 27 September 2025. 8 presidential candidates were vetted by the Electoral Commission. A run-off vote took place on 11 October 2025 as neither presidential candidate secured the mandatory 50% of votes in the first round. Following the second round, Mr Patrick Matthew Antonio Hermine of United Seychelles won the presidency with 52.7% of the votes, defeating the incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles Democratic Alliance, who received 47.3%. In the parliamentary elections, also held on 27 September 2025, United Seychelles became the largest party after securing 19 seats. The Seychelles Democratic Alliance obtained 15 seats.
Interest in the polls was high, with voter turnout at 84% in the legislative elections and 87% in the presidential polls. There was no diaspora voting as the Electoral Commission of Seychelles stated it would be unable to establish voting stations overseas. Among the key issues for voters were the economy and the cost of living, the growing heroin crisis and corruption.
Women’s Political participation
Women have increasingly been active in Seychelles political scene. In the recently concluded elections, 49 female candidates competed. After the polls concluded, the number of women elected to the National Assembly increased to 9 (26.5%), from 8 (22.9%) in the 2020 elections. Ms Azarel Ernesta made history following her election as speaker of the National Assembly. She is the first woman to hold the post. Other notable women include Mrs Tania Isaac, clerk in the National Assembly and Mrs Audrey Maryona Vidot, three-term Roche Caiman District representative, who chairs the Defence Committee and the Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC).
While there were no female presidential candidates in the recent elections, Ms Alexia Gertrude Amesbury became the first female presidential candidate in 2015. In the Seychelles, three women have stood as vice presidential candidates. Annette Georges was the first female vice presidential candidate running alongside Hon Ramakalwan for the then United Opposition (current Seychelles Democratic Alliance) in the 1998 elections. In the 2025 elections, presidential candidate Maarco Francis, together with his vice presidential candidate Ms Rebecca Bell, contested for the Seychelles United Movement, and independent presidential candidate Alain St.Ange ran together with Ms Daniella Alis-Payet as his vice presidential running mate.
At the ministerial level, women’s representation has increased from 5 ministers of 13 in 2020 to 8 of 14 in 2025. Thus, women now hold a majority (57%) of cabinet positions; they are:
- Ms Geralda Desaubin, Minister for Industry and Enterprise
- Ms Idith Alexander, Minister for Employment and Human Resource Planning
- Ms Pamela Charlette, Minister for Social Affairs, Family and Equality
- Ms Veronique Laporte, Minister for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation
- Ms Marie-May Jérémie, Minister for Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources
- Ms Kalsey Belle, Minister for Youth and Sport
- Mrs Amanda Bernstein, Minister for Tourism and Culture
- Ms Eveline Rose, Minister for Local Government and Inner Islands
Legislative and policy reforms on women’s rights
While the Seychelles has adopted legislation on the electoral process, such as the Elections Act regulating voter registration, the conduct of presidential and National Assembly elections, and referendums, the country has yet to adopt a gender quota.
The principles of non-discrimination and equality are enshrined in the Seychelles Constitution. Article 27 of the Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection under the law without discrimination. The Constitution also establishes the right to vote, to be elected to public office and to participate on general terms and equality, in public service (Article 24).
Other legislation and policy initiatives aim to strengthen women’s rights in other areas, such as property rights and domestic violence. The Civil Code of Seychelles 2020 mandates equal division of property acquired in relationships lasting 7 years or more. The 2020 Domestic Violence Act provides protections to victims and includes under the definition of domestic violence physical, verbal or psychological, and economic abuse. The act makes provisions for both punishment and rehabilitation for perpetrators.
The Seychelles has also implemented policy reforms. The National Gender Policy 2016 provides a framework for integrating gender equality into all national sectors ,aiming to increase women's representation in high-level decision-making. It also implemented the Inclusive Education Policy, which provides an avenue for equal access to education for girls and minorities, such as the disabled.
Challenges to women’s political participation
Despite the legislative and policy reforms and having “made strides in electoral inclusion”, women’s political representation lags behind. While more women than men are registered voters (39,792 females vs 37,253 males as of June 2025), Seychellois women are underrepresented in the National Assembly. The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) joint Election Observation Mission (AU-COMESA EOM) noted that the current legal framework lacks binding measures to guarantee women's political participation, making their candidacy dependent on political parties' commitment, which reports difficulties in recruiting female candidates. The Women Business and Law Index 2024 also spotlighted the absence of legislation addressing workplace sexual harassment, emphasising the need for protection of women in these spaces.
Conclusion
In the 2025 general elections, in the United Seychelles won both the presidency and secured a majority in the National Assembly. While there were no female presidential candidates, the number of women elected to the National Assembly increased slightly from 8 to 9. At the executive level, a majority of the cabinet members (8 of 14) are women.
The Seychelles has adopted legal reforms and implemented policy initiatives geared towards gender equality in political representation. While women’s representation in ministerial positions increased, they are underrepresented in the National Assembly. Challenges remain in achieving parity.
Seychellois women are driving change. In the National Assembly, the Women Parliamentary Caucus works to “ensure equality for all, especially women, children and the vulnerable, by advocating, enacting and monitoring gender- and child-sensitive laws”. Civil society organisations such as Women in Action and Solidarity (WASO) and Women of Seychelles Inspiring Transformative Action (WOSITA) advocate for women and increase opportunities through capacity building.