02/09/2025
Our current President, Wavel Ramkalawan, has officially declined to participate in the forthcoming Presidential debates.
In his letter, he argues that only “serious candidates” should be allowed to debate - meaning only those backed by 26 National Assembly candidates.
According to him, candidates who simply meet the legal requirements (₨15,000 fee + 500 signatures) should not be included.
In short: he refuses to debate unless the field is limited to just three parties (LDS, US, SUM).
What makes this stand out is the contradiction: in the past, he was one of the strongest voices calling for debates in Seychelles, saying they were essential for transparency and democracy. Now, as President, he refuses to participate unless the rules are changed to his terms.
This raises important questions for us as citizens:
* Should debates be open to all who legally qualify, or only to those already backed by bigger parties?
* Who gets to decide what makes a candidate “serious” - the people, or those already in power?
* What does it mean for democracy if leaders set the rules of who can and cannot be heard?
Debates are not just about the candidates; they are about giving the public the chance to compare visions and make an informed choice. What do you think? Is this protecting democracy, or gatekeeping it?
Share your thoughts below 👇🏼