NAIROBI, Kenya 

Voting kicked off on Thursday in Seychelles’ closely contested presidential and parliamentary elections, with three days of polling underway across the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Long lines formed at special early polling stations on the main island of Mahe, where voters queued under humid skies at English River School and La Rosiere creche. Elderly residents and remand detainees cast their ballots during designated morning sessions.

Similar scenes played out at Baie Ste Anne primary school on Praslin and in outer island districts.

Incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest who swept to power in 2020 ending four decades of United Seychelles dominance, is seeking a second term under his Linyon Demokratik Seselwa coalition.

His campaign has focused on post-pandemic economic recovery, expanding social protections and maintaining Seychelles’ global environmental leadership.

His main rival is Patrick Herminie, a veteran lawmaker and former speaker of parliament running on the United Seychelles ticket.

Herminie was arrested in 2023 on allegations of plotting to overthrow the government -- charges his party said were politically motivated. The case was later dismissed due to the lack of evidence.

He has pledged to address cost-of-living pressures, combat corruption and confront the archipelago’s severe drug addiction crisis, where thousands struggle with heroin use in a population of just 120,000.

Also on the ballot is Marco Francis, a former head of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is focusing on private-sector development and reducing reliance on tourism. Alain St. Ange, a former tourism minister internationally recognized for promoting Seychelles as a destination, is running as an independent.

If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held.

Mainland polling will continue through Saturday before ballots are tallied and results declared in an election closely watched across the Indian Ocean region.