Seychelles: Electoral Commissioner

Updated August 2005

View of a polling station during Seychelles' 2001 Presidential Elections

The Electoral Commissioner's Office is established by the Constitution (Constitution 1993, Article 115).

Appointment

The Electoral Commissioner is appointed by the President of the Republic from candidates proposed by the Constitutional Appointments Authority (Constitution 1993, Article 115). The Constitutional Appointments Authority is comprised of one person nominated by the President, one by the Leader of the Opposition and a Chairperson co-opted by the other two members (Constitution 1993, Article 140). There are no provisions for the removal of the Commissioner from office.

Term of Office

The Electoral Commissioner is appointed for a term of not more than 7 years, but is eligible for reappointment for further terms (Constitution 1993, Article 115(1), (6)).

Functions

The Electoral Commissioner is broadly responsible for (Constitution 1993, Article 116, 118; Political Parties Act, 1991, 2(3), 29):

  • The conduct and supervision of voter registration.
  • The conduct and supervision of elections and referenda.
  • The delimitation of constituencies.
  • The monitoring of election campaigns.
  • The registration and public financing of political parties.

The Commissioner has the capacity to make regulations and is required to report from time to time on the activities of the office to the President and the National Assembly (Constitution 1993, Articles 116, 117; Political Parties Act, 1991, 31).

Electoral Commissioner

Mr Hendrick Paul Gappy (Republic Of Seychelles undated, 33).

Funding

Consolidated fund (Constitution 1993, 115(4)).

Support staff

The work of the appointment of the Commissioner is assisted by a Chief Registration Officer and a Chief Electoral Officer (Elections Act 1996, 3(1)).

References

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES 1993 (amended 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2000), [www] http://www.cmseducation.org/wconsts/seychelles.html [opens new window] (accessed 25 Oct 2007).

ELECTIONS ACT 1996.

POLITICAL PARTIES (REGISTRATION AND REGULATION) ACT 1991 as amended in 1995 and 1996

REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES UNDATED "Government Directory", [www] http://www.virtualseychelles.sc/downloads/pdf/govdir.pdf [PDF document, opens new window] (accessed 25 Oct 2007).

 
 
seychelles flag