The Evolution of the National Assembly of Seychelles
The archipelago of the Seychelles is said to have appeared on the Portuguese charts as early as 1505 and was named the ‘Setes Irmas’ - the Seven Sisters. It is also said that the Seychelles may have also been visited by Arab Traders and pirates using the islands as a safe haven where they could hide their stolen goods. Even to this day there are legends of hidden treasures. Scholars assume that the discovery of Seychelles could date as far back as to the times of the Phoenicians. With all these explorations of the Seychelles, the islands remained uninhabited until the late 1700s.
The first settlement of Seychelles dates back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, leading a small party of whites, Indians and Africans this comprised of a group of 27 men and one woman (mainly African slaves and French settlers) as they landed on the small island of St Anne to start what is now known as the Seychellois nation. By the time the French ceded the Seychelles to Britain, the population had already grown to 3,500 people. The British officially took over the islands under the 1814 Treaty of Paris. As a result of this, the name ‘Sechelle’ was amended to Seychelles.
From the date of its founding by the French until 1903, the Seychelles colony was regarded as a dependency of Mauritius. Later on in 1888, a separate administrator, executive and administrative councils were established for the Seychelles and nine years later, the administrator acquired full powers of a British colonial governor, and on 31 August 1903, Seychelles became a separate British Crown Colony.
A small number of people were nominated by the governor to the Council in which the Seychellois locals were not then represented. This was later disputed by the population and resulted in the Seychellois obtaining Universal Suffrage.
The World Wars raised the importance of Seychelles, especially given its strategic geo-political location. Many young Seychellois men ventured out to several posts and participated in the wars under the British flag. The population was still growing and by this time had reached around 24,000 people. As the population kept growing, the people started feeling neglected and the newly formed Planters Association lobbied for more involvement of the locals in the governance of Seychelles. After 1929, more finance was made available to the islands under the Colonial Development Act.
Throughout the years, the Planters Association only fought for the rich white landowners, the workers had no voice until later on after 1937 when the League of Coloured Peoples was formed to demand a minimum wage, a wage tribunal and free health care for all. Reform plans were made but with the start of the Second World War everything was put on hold.
The first political party, the Taxpayers Association was formed in 1939 and after the Second World War they were granted the vote which was limited to literate property owners; just 2,000 in a population of 36,000. Mr. Joachim Arissol became the first Creole to be appointed to the Legislative Council as a result of this vote.
The Growth of Politics in Seychelles
The emancipation of the Seychellois locals under British rule, led to the formation of two political parties in 1964, namely; the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) under the direction of Mr France Albert Rene and the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) headed by Sir James Mancham.
The 1967 elections for universal suffrage saw the participation of both parties which resulted in the formation of the Governing Council comprising eight members, (3 SPUP, 4 SDP, 1 Independent). This election also saw Dr. Marie Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme become the first woman parliamentarian although she was an unofficial Member of previous Legislative Councils since 1954. For the first time in the legislative history of the Seychelles the governance of the country was officially in the hands of the people through the representatives that they elected.
Pre-Independent Years
The first general elections to be held was special as it was done irrespective of land ownership and being a taxpayer - it was universal and every single vote counted. The elections were the first to have a majority of elected members in the Legislature then called the Governing Council. The plan was to be able to join the Executive and Legislature together as one.
In December 1967, 3 Independent candidates along with 2 political parties known as SDP and SPUP, decided to contest in the elections. The below candidates were successfully elected;
James R. Mancham, (SDP)
A. Paul Pillay, (SDP)
Chamery Chetty, (SDP)
David G. Joubert, (SDP)
Albert Rene, (SPUP)
Michael J. Green, (SPUP)
Karl St. Ange, (SPUP)
Marie Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme, (Independent)
The Governing Council also had three ex-officio members, namely: The Hon. R. V. Rostowski - Chief Secretary, The Hon. A. Sauzier - Attorney General, the Hon. A.G. Padgett - Financial Secretary along with 4 nominated members - Hon. G. F Pollard, the Hon. H.H. West, the Hon. S. Adam and the Hon. G. de Commarmond.
The Governing Council met for the 1st time on the 28th of May 1968 even if it was elected in December 1967. The first meeting was called and presided over by the Governor who also chose which content would be taken as business for the 1st meeting.
In a move for Seychelles to gain independence, the SPUP applied immense pressure through a motion by Sir James Mancham (SDP Leader) calling upon the British Government for amendments in the Constitution. In 1970, a constitutional Conference was held in Marlborough House, England, which resulted in some crucial changes to the Constitution. Following these changes, the Governing Council became the Legislative Assembly and its number of representations was increased from eight to fifteen.
The 1970 election formed a new Legislative Assembly with, for the first time, a Speaker, Mr Michel Lousteau-Lalanne. In 1974, the Legislative Assembly tabled a motion calling for the country’s independence. A coalition government was formed in 1975, the first semblance of an internal self government, providing for the first national steps towards independence. The institution’s name also changed from Legislative Assembly to House of Assembly.
In january 1976, a meeting of the Constitutional Conference in Marlborough House officially set the date for the country’s independence to June 29th, 1976. A pivotal moment in the History of the Seychelles as it will soon begin its journey as a sovereign Republic.
The First Republic
Seychelles officially became a sovereign republic on June 29th, 1976. A new country was born and so was a new era in Seychelles’ politics. The first republic, which lasted for little less than a year, saw for the first time the use of the term National Assembly to refer to the legislature. For the first time, Seychelles was also headed by a President, Sir James Mancham and the leader of the House, was Prime Minister France Albert Rene.
The first republic was also an important period in our political history as it marked an era of self discovery and self rule. In June 1977, the President was overthrown, moving the country into a new form of governance.
The Second Republic
For the two years following the June 1977 coup, the country was ruled by decree as any form of legislature was suspended.
A year later in 1978, a Constitutional Council appointed a new Constitution, and the second republic was born. In 1979, during the one party era, a new legislature came into being called the People’s Assembly.
The second republic went through different constitutional changes, including the establishment of the one party state, the increase in electoral districts, and most importantly a move away from the standard Westminster system adopted in several Commonwealth countries. The People’s Assembly had a separate secretariat, was chaired by a Chairperson and was made up of representatives of the different electoral districts.
The government Ministers came before the People’s Assembly to answer questions put forth by the districts’ representatives. They also came to the Assembly to pass bills. This Assembly process resembled a legislature which operated on a seperate platform to that of government.
In December 1991, during an SPPF congress, the then President France Albert Rene announced the return of a multi-party system of governance. On 27th December 1991, the Constitution of Seychelles was amended to allow for the registration of political parties. Mr James Mancham returned in April 1992 to revive his party, the Democratic Party (DP). By the of April 1992, eight political parties had registered to contest the first stage of the transition process: election to the Constitutional Commission, which took place on 23rd - 26th July 1992.
Results of election to the Constitutional Commission, the body that was to draft the constitution for the third republic showed the SPPF securing 14 representatives and the DP, 8. Other smaller parties, six of them, did not gather enough support and the 5% requirement that was needed to form part of the Commission.
For several months following the election, opinion leaders and experts, most notably church and political leaders from all corners of the islands, had their say in what should be in the Constitution of Seychelles. The first referendum failed to achieve the 60% required for the Constitution to be adopted. A second round of negotiations between the two main parties resumed in January 1993 and the deliberations were broadcast in its entirety on national television and radio. The process became a very public one, with greater interest of the population to tune to their television and radio to follow the deliberations and to submit their views and contributions. On June 18th, 1993 the people of Seychelles supported the new Constitution with a resounding 73.9% in the referendum. June 18th was then declared the National Day for the Republic of Seychelles.
The Third Republic
On June 18th 1993, the third republic was born which saw a multi-party governance structure being introduced. This had its impact on the structure and function of the legislature. The new Constitution, introduced for the first time, a governance structure adhering to the principles of the Separation of Powers, Cabinet Ministers could not be Members of the legislature and vice-versa. The Constitution also established the ‘Seychellois Charter of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms’ and provided for such institutions as the Ombudsman, the Auditor-General, the Attorney General, the Public Service Appeals Board and the Constitutional Appointment Authority.
1st Assembly
On the 30th July, 1993 the 1st Assembly met for its first Sitting by a proclamation gazetted by the then President of the Republic, Mr. France Albert Rene.
The first Leader of Government Business in the 1st Assembly of 1993 was Hon. Danny Faure from the SPPF and the Leader of Opposition was Sir James Mancham from the DP.
The Members of the 1st National Assembly were:
Hon. Francis MacGregor - Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Shelton Jolicoeur - Deputy Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Danny Faure - Leader of Government Business & Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. James Mancham - Leader of the Opposition & DP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Walter Confait - SPPF Member for Anse-Aux-Pins
Hon. Andre Pool - SPPF Member for Anse Boileau
Hon. Roger Toussaint - SPPF Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Barry Faure - SPPF Member Anse Royale
Hon. Ange Morel - SPPF Member Baie Lazare
Hon. Mitcy Larue - SPPF Member Grande Anse Praslin
Hon. Marie-Louise Potter - Member Beau Vallon
Hon. Michael Rene - SPPF Member Bel Air
Hon. Christopher Gill - DP Member Bel Ombre
Hon. Charles de Commarmond - SPPF Member Cascade
Hon. Patrick Herminie - SPFF Member English River
Hon. Gilbert Barbier - SPFF Member Glacis
Hon. Waven William - SPPF Member Grande Anse Mahe
Hon. Michel Gardette - SPPF Member Mont Buxton
Hon. Florence Benstrong - SPPF Member Mont Fleuri
Hon. Jeovana Charles - SPPF Member Roche Caiman
Hon. Dick Esparon - SPPF Member Pointe Larue
Hon. Ginette Gamatiste - SPPF Member Port Glaud
Hon. Bella Henderson - SPPF Member Saint Louis
Hon. Jeanne Denis - SPPF Member Takamaka
Hon. Monica Figaro - SPPF Member La Digue
Hon. Hugh Payet - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Louis Gopal - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Marie-Nella Azemia - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Paul Chow - DP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Daniel Belle - DP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Georges Bibi - DP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan - UO Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Francis Macgregor who was the first Speaker of the National Assembly remembers the pioneer legislature by stating;
“This legislature was also significant in that it was the first since the return of multiparty in 1992. It was composed of only two members then who had any experience of a multiparty legislature. They were Hon. J. Mancham and Daniel Belle. More than half of the others had never been MPs before. It was very much a pioneer parliament in trying to cultivate a workable body in a climate of inevitably necessary dialogue and tolerance, the nation having just gone through the equivalent of five general elections in the space of less than two years. We had to sit with, work with and live with each other with the responsibility of making this new Seychelles work”.
The National Assembly conducted its Assembly Business at the National Library and in 1994 the Assembly approved its own rules in the form of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly Regulations, 1994. For the fifth time in history, Seychelles adopted a new flag in 1995 which embodied all the main colours of the political parties at the time. The electoral districts were redrafted in 1996 with the creation of three new districts namely Les Mamelles, Roche Caiman and Au Cap which increased the electoral districts from 20 to 25.
2nd Assembly
The duration of the House in 1998 was quite short as it started on the 3rd of February and ended on the 19th of February 1998 whereby under Article 110 of the Constitution of the Republic, the President dissolved the National Assembly.
Fresh elections took place in March 1998.
For the 1998 parliamentary elections held on March 21, 22 and 23, 25 directly elected seats were up for the taking – three more than at the last election in 1993. With the increase in the number of directly elected seats in the National Assembly the Constitution now catered for “not more than 10 members elected on the basis of the scheme of proportional representation”.
The SPPF scores were over 50% in all districts except St Louis where it lost to the United Opposition’s candidate Wavel Ramkalawan.
The National Assembly was now made up of 34 members, one more than the last session.
Together with the proportionately elected members, the SPPF got 30 seats (6 proportional for the 61.71% of the votes), three for the United Opposition (2 proportional for the 26.06% of the votes) and one for the Democratic Party (1 proportional for the 12.10% of the votes).
Francis MacGregor and Shelton Jolicoeur were re-elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker, while Patrick Herminie became the Leader of Government Business and Wavel Ramkalawan the Leader of the Opposition.
The Members of the 2nd National Assembly were:
Hon. Francis MacGregor - Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Shelton Jolicoeur - Deputy Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan - Leader of the Opposition & SNP Member St Louis
Hon. Patrick Herminie - Leader of Government Business & SPPF Member English River
Hon. Walter Confait - SPPF Member Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Andre Pool - SPPF Member Anse Boileau
Hon. Roger Toussaint - SPPF Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Barry Faure - SPPF Member Anse Royale
Hon. Ange Morel - SPPF Member Baie Lazare
Hon. Mitcy Larue - SPPF Member Baie Ste Anne Praslin
Hon. Marie-Louise Potter - SPPF Member Beau Vallon
Hon. Georgie Nicette - SPPF Member Bel Air
Hon. Danny Loizeau - SPPF Member Bel Ombre
Hon. Charles de Commarmond - SPPF Member Cascade
Hon. Gilbert Barbier - SPPF Member Glacis
Hon. Waven William - SPPF Member Grand Anse Mahe
Hon. Karl Tamatave - SPPF Member Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Brassel Adeline - SPPF Member Les Mamelles
Hon. Linda William - SPPF Member Mont Buxton
Hon. Louis Gopal - SPPF Member Mont Fleuri
Hon. Vincent Meriton - SPPF Member Plaisance
Hon. Dick Esparon - SPPF Member Pointe Larue
Hon. Ginette Gamatiste - SPPF Member Port Glaud
Hon. Jeovana Charles - SPPF Member Roche Caiman
Hon. Bernie Marie - SPPF Member Takamaka
Hon. Monica Jawhary - SPPF Member La Digue
Hon. Bernard Valentin - SPPF Member Au Cap
Hon. Florence Benstrong - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Hugh Payet - SPFF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Simon Gill - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Bella Henderson - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Anthony Derjacques (1*) - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Jean-Francois Ferrari (2*) - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Georges Bibi - DP Proportionately Elected Member
- *1 - Was replaced by Hon. Regina Alcindor
- *2 - Was replaced by Hon. Bernard Georges
3rd Assembly
In the 2002 National Assembly election, the SPPF party won the majority of directly elected seats which was a total of 18 out of 25 seats. The SNP party saw an increase in its seats from having only 1 seat in 1998 to having 7 seats in 2002.
54% of the total votes went to the SPPF party and this resulted in the party having an additional 5 proportionately elected Members as one proportionally elected seat is allocated for each 10 percent of votes won. On the other hand, only 40% of the total votes went to the SNP party which resulted in the party having only 4 proportionately elected Members.
The 3rd Assembly had a total of 34 Members of which 23 represented the SPPF party and 11 represented the SNP party.
Apart from the SPPF and the SNP, there was another political party known as the Democratic Party (DP) that participated in the elections. The DP was not able to poll in more than 10% of the total votes and as a result, the party was not able to qualify to have a proportionately elected seat in the Assembly.
The Assembly was sworn in on December 17, 2002 and the first item on the agenda was the debate on the 2003 Budget which had to be approved before the end of the year.
Hon. Francis MacGregor and Hon. Shelton Jolicoeur was re-elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker to the National Assembly. Hon. Patrick Herminie was once again named the Leader of Government Business and Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan as the Leader of the Opposition.
Members of the 3rd Assembly were:
Hon. Francis MacGregor - Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Shelton Jolicoeur - Deputy Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan - Leader of the Opposition & SNP Member St Louis
Hon. Patrick Herminie - Leader of Government Business & SPPF Member English River
Hon. Walter Confait - SPPF Member Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Andre Pool - SPPF Member Anse Boileau
Hon. Anne-Marie Mathiot - SPPF Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Barry Faure - SPPF Member Anse Royale
Hon. Daisy Rath - SPPF Member Au Cap
Hon. Robert Georges - SPPF Member Baie Lazare
Hon. Mitcy Larue - SPPF Member Baie Ste Anne Praslin
Hon. Collin Dyer - SNP Member Beau Vallon
Hon. Allain St. Ange - SNP Member Bel Air
Hon. Nicholas Prea - SNP Member Bel Ombre
Hon. Charles de Commarmond - SPPF Member Cascade
Hon. Regina Alcindor - SNP Member Glacis
Hon. Waven William - SPPF Member Grand Anse Mahe
Hon. Norbert Lepathy - SPPF Member Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Bernard Georges - SNP Member Les Mamelles
Hon. Gerald Julie - SNP Member Mont Buxton
Hon. Louis Gopal - SPPF Member Mont Fleuri
Hon. Ivy Edmond - SPPF Member Plaisance
Hon. Dick Esparon - SPPF Member Pointe Larue
Hon. Ginette Gamatiste - SPPF Member Port Glaud
Hon. Jeovana Charles - SPPF Member Roche Caiman
Hon. Terrence Mondon - SPPF Member Takamaka
Hon. Hansley Constance - SPPF Member La Digue
Hon. Simon Gill (1*) - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Isabelle Joubert - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Rukaiya Jumaye - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Ebrona Brioche (2*) - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Hardy Lucas - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. David Pierre - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Francis Cupidon - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
- *1 - Was replaced by Hon. Ralph Aggripine
- -2* - Was replaced by Hon. Annette Georges
In 2004, after 27 years as President, Mr France Albert Rene handed over the Presidency to President James Alix Michel. President Michel delivered his first State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly on 8th February, 2005.
4th Assembly
During the 4th Assembly, the SPPF party, which was still the ruling party, was able to retain 23 seats in the May 2007 elections with 56,2% of the total votes - 18 seats were directly elected and 5 seats were proportionately elected.
The SNP on the other hand polled in 43.8% of the total votes thus earning 11 seats in the Assembly of which 4 were proportionately elected.
For this cohort, there was one major change as Hon. Dr Patrick Herminie was elected Speaker of the fourth National Assembly of the Third Republic and replaced Francis MacGregor.
Hon. Marie-Louis Potter became the new Leader of Government Business and Wavel Ramkalawan was re-elected leader of the opposition.
In the years that followed, the National Assembly kept on reviewing its procedures and ways of doing things in order for it to progress as a new democracy.
For this cohort, there was one major change as Hon. Dr Patrick Herminie was elected Speaker of the fourth National Assembly of the Third Republic and replaced Francis MacGregor.
In the year of 2009, an amendment was made to the Standing Orders that had not been edited since 1994 and at the end of the same year, the National Assembly began conducting its business at its own new building at Ile Du Port.
The Members of the 4th National Assembly were:
Hon. Patrick Herminie - Speaker & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan - Leader of the Opposition & SNP Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Marie-Louise Potter - Leader of Government Business & SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Joseph François - SPPF Member Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Andre Pool - SPPF Member Anse Boileau
Terrence Françoise - SPPF Member Anse Royale
Marc Naiken - SPPF Member Au Cap
Wilby Lucas - SPPF Member Baie Lazare
Mitcy Larue - SPPF Member Baie Ste Anne
Hon. Collin Dyer - SNP Beau Vallon
Hon. Norbert Loizeau - SNP Bel Air
Hon. Nicholas Préa - SNP Bel Ombre
Charles de Commarmond - SPPF Member Cascade
Roy Nibourette - SPPF Member English River
David Payet - SPPF Member Glacis
Waven William - SPPF Member Grand Anse Mahé
Marc Volcère - SPPF Member Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Bernard Georges - SNP Les Mamelles
Ansley Constance - SPPF Member Inner Islands
Michel Marie - SPPF Member Mont Buxton
Jean-François Ferrari - SNP Member Mont Fleuri
Bernard Adonis - SPPF Member Plaisance
Jennifer Vel - SPPF Member Pointe Larue
Ginette Gamatis - SPPF Member Port Glaud
Jeovanna Charles - SPPF Member Roche Caïman
Sandy Arissol - SNP Member St Louis
Terrence Mondon - SPPF Member Takamaka
Marie-Antoinette Rose - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Vicky Thérésine - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Clifford André - SPPF Proportionately Elected Member
Hardy Lucas - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Ebrona Brioche - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
David Pierre - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
Francis Cupidon - SNP Proportionately Elected Member
5th Assembly
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) was formed in 2011 and was in fact the only party which contested the election and was able poll in 3,828 votes which added up to 10.89% of the 35,145 valid votes cast. Though PDM contested in the elections, it did not win any seat as according to the Electoral Commission it had won only about 7% of the total votes cast. The leader of PDM did not agree with the decision taken and decided to bring this case before the Constitutional Court.
The 5th Assembly swore in on the 11th of October 2011.
The sole independent candidate that contested in the election was Jacqueline Hoareau and she scored 194 votes in the Mont Buxton constituency.
On December 15, 2011, Mr Pierre, whose party had won its appeal for the allocation of a proportionately elected seat in the National Assembly in a ruling by the Court of Appeal, nominated and voted himself Leader of the Opposition after being sworn in as his party’s proportionately elected member in the National Assembly.
Then on May 16, 2016, a new National Assembly opposition leader, Ms Francesca Monnaie was sworn in after Mr Pierre submitted his resignation a day earlier.
Ms Monnaie took the oath of allegiance before the Speaker Dr. Patrick Herminie to fill the only seat held by the opposition. She was formerly the Popular Democratic Movement’s secretary general.
In May 2016, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the penal code that decriminalised the act of sodomy. Out of 28 members present for the vote, 14 voted in favour while the other half abstained. Four members were not present for the vote.
The first Private Member Bill was brought by Hon. Wilby Lucas and approved by the National Assembly in 2011 called the National Assembly (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, 2011.
In December 2013, the National Assembly celebrated its 20th Anniversary with the launch of a book by the Secretariat titled “The National Assembly: A Guide”, of which the Speaker, Hon. Dr Patrick Herminie had the privilege of presenting to the previous Speaker (1st of the Third Republic) Judge Francis Macgregor.
The 5th National Assembly had its last Sitting on the Tuesday 30th of August, 2016.
The Members of the 5th National Assembly were:
Hon. Dr. Patrick Herminie - Speaker
Hon. Andre Pool - Deputy Speaker
Hon. David Pierre - Leader of the Opposition
Hon. Francesca Monnaie - Leader of the Opposition *replaced Hon. David Pierre
Hon. Marie Louise Potter - Leader of Government Business
Hon. Marie Antoinette Rose - Leader of Government Business * replaced Hon. Marie Louise Potter
Hon. Dr Jhowla Manoo - SPPF Member Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Bernard Arnephy - SPPF Member Anse Boileau
Hon. Melval Dugasse - SPPF Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Derek Samson - SPPF Member Anse Royale
Hon. Murielle Marie - SPPF Member Au Cap
Hon. Wilby Lucas - SPPF Member Baie Lazare
Hon. Natasha Esther - SPPF Member Baie Ste Anne
Hon. Mirena Souris - SPPF Member Beau Vallon
Hon. Nichole Barbé - SPPF Member Bel Air
Hon. Galen Bresson - SPPF Member Bel Ombre
Hon. Charles de Commarmond - SPPF Member Cascade
Hon. Kevin Vidot - SPPF Member English River
Hon. Dr David Payet - SPPF Member Glacis
Hon. Lenny Lebon - SPPF Member Grand Anse Mahé
Hon. Marc Volcère - SPPF Member Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Chantal Ghislain - SPPF Member Inner Islands
Hon. Emmanuel Fideria - SPPF Member Les Mamelles
Hon. Sheryl Vengadasamy - SPPF Member Mont Buxton
Hon. Begita Jeannevole - SPPF Member Mont Fleuri
Hon. Roma Aglae - SPPF Member Plaisance
Hon. Jennifer Vel - SPPF Member Pointe Larue
Hon. Sultane Jacqueline - SPPF Member Port Glaud
Hon. Jeovanna Charles - SPPF Member Roche Caïman
Hon. Herbert Hoareau - SPPF Member St Louis
Hon. Alderic Bristol - SPPF Member Takamaka
Hon. Mitcy Larue - Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Marie-Louise Potter - Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Marie-Antoinette Rose - Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Sebastien Pillay - Proportionately Elected Member
The Sixth Assembly
The 6th National Assembly was historic and special in several ways. The 6th Cohort started on the 27th of September 2016 and ended on the 6th of August 2020.
For the first time in parliament history, the Opposition had more seats than the government whereby 15 seats were occupied by the Opposition party known as the Linyon Demokratik Sesel, and only 10 seats were occupied by the the government, known as the United Seychelles Party (US).
The 6th Assembly had 2 Speakers. Mr Patrick Pillay was the first Speaker of the 6th Assembly up to 31st of January 2018. Mr Pillay officially handed in his resignation letter to the Office of the Clerk in accordance with the Provisions of Article 83 (4) of the Constitution on the 29th January 2018. In the same communication, Mr Pillay had also submitted his resignation as Member of the National Assembly for the Electoral Area of Anse Boileau.
The Electoral Commission then had to organise a Bi-Election in the Electoral Area of Anse Boileau within the following 30 days. The newly elected Member for the District of Anse Boileau, Mr Phillip Arissol took his Oath of Allegiance soon after his victory.
Mr Nichola Prea was the second Speaker of the 6th Assembly and his Chairmanship took effect from the 6th March 2018 to the 6th August 2020 up until the dissolution of the 6th Assembly.
The 6th Cohort indeed saw a few Members come and leave. Mr Basil Hoareau was one of the Members that swore in as a Proportionately Elected Member of the United Seychelles Party on 27th of September 2016 and later resigned in March 2019 in accordance with Article 81 (1) (b) of the Constitution.
Mr Johan Loze then swore in as a Proportionately Elected Member of the United Seychelles Party on 20th of March 2019.
On the 20th November, 2018, the first Child addressed the National Assembly in commemoration of World Childrens Day. Miss Shayanne Hoareau, from Beau Vallon School made a moving speech urging the Members to protect the rights of children and promote their protection. Mr Misael Bristol from the Mont Fleuri secondary school made a speech the following year.
The 6th Assembly was fortunate to have the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at that time, H.E Hon Gabriela Cuevas Barron in January 2020 for an official visit on the invitation of the National Assembly. Hon. Barron was welcomed by the Speaker Hon. Nicholas Prea and the then Deputy Clerk, Mrs. Tania Isaac, of whom was also the Desk Officer for the IPU upon her arrival.This particular visit by Hon. Barron was part of an African Tour in the last year of her tenure. Hon. Barron, who was the 29th President of IPU also paid Courtesy Calls on the two leaders at the National Assembly and also addressed the House during an Extraordinary Sitting on Tuesday 21st January 2020 in the presence of all the Members alongside Speaker Prea.
The National Assembly stood dissolved as of the 7th August 2020. The Constitution provides for the dissolution of Parliament by itself or by the President under Article 110. In this case, the President gave the Speaker a 7 days notice. Then by Proclamation published in the Gazette, the Assembly stood dissolved on the next day following the publication of the Proclamation.
Just before the dissolution of the 6th Assembly, the Standing Orders of the National Assembly was amended by the Standing Orders Committee that was Chaired by Hon. Bernard Georges after having its last review in 2009. There are 102 Articles in the Standing Orders that detail the legislative process, the role of Committees, the role of the Presiding Officer, the role of the Clerk, Questions and Motions, the behaviour of Members in the House, to name a few. This was a monumental moment as the Standing Orders safeguard the reasonable expectations of both the Executive and the Opposition and encompass the bounds of acceptable parliamentary behaviour and its amendment has to be considered very carefully and thoroughly.
The Members of the 6th National Assembly at Dissolution:
Hon. Nicholas Prea - Speaker (1*) - Speaker of the House & LDS Member Bel Ombre
Hon. Ahmed Afif - Deputy Speaker (2*) - Deputy Speaker & LDS Member Anse Etoile
Hon. Wavel Ramkalawan - Leader of the Opposition & LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Charles De Commarmond - Leader of Government Business & US Member Cascade
Hon. Clifford Andre - LDS Member Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Philip Arissol (4*) - LDS Member Anse Boileau
Hon. Stephen Pillay - LDS Member Au Cap
Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel - US Member Anse Royale
Hon. Francois Adelaide - LDS Member Baie Lazare
Hon. Churchill Gill - US Member Baie St Anne Praslin
Hon. John Hoareau - LDS Member Beau Vallon
Hon. Norbert Loizeau - LDS Member Bel Air
Hon. Wilbert Herminie - US Member English River
Hon. Regina Esparon - LDS Member Glacis
Hon. Waven William - US Member Grande Anse Mahe
Hon. Wavel Woodcock - LDS Member Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Noline Sophola - US Member Inner Islands
Hon. Bernard Georges - LDS Les Mamelles
Hon. Gervais Henrie - LDS Member Mont Buxton
Hon. Jean-Francois Ferrari - LDS Member Mont Fleuri
Hon. Clive Roucou - LDS Member Plaisance
Hon. Jude Valmont - US Member Pointe Larue
Hon. Egbert Aglae - US Member Port Glaud
Hon. Audrey Vidot - US Member Roche Caiman
Hon. Sandy Arissol - LDS Member St Louis
Hon. Paul Ernesta - US Member Takamaka
Hon. Jany Letourdie - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Flory Larue - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Terence Mondon - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Simon Gill- US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Sebastien Pillay - US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Johan Loze (3*) - US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Chantal Ghislain - US Proportionately Elected Member
- 1* Replaced Hon. Patrick Pillay as Speaker
- 2* Replaced Hon. Nicholas Prea as Deputy Speaker
- 3* Replaced Hon. Basil Hoareau
- 4* Replaced Hon. Patrick Pillay
The Seventh Assembly
On the 28th of October 2020, the National Assembly officially welcomed its 7th Cohort. This Cohort made history as for the first time in the history of parliament, an Opposition group, the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), won the Executive and Parliamentary Elections by a majority and became the Government. The Assembly saw the arrival of 35 Members in total.
The President of Seychelles, H.E Mr Wavel Ramkalawan and the Vice President, H.E Mr Ahmed Afif, were in attendance for the ceremony whereby Hon. Roger Mancienne swore in as the newly elected Speaker to the 7th Assembly. The exiting Speaker, Mr. Nicholas Prea, presided over the first Sitting before the new Speaker was elected. Hon. Gervais Henrie, the elected Member of the district of Mont Buxton was also elected as the new Deputy Speaker to the National Assembly.
Apart from the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker to the National Assembly, there was also the election of the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business. Hon. Sebastien Pillay was elected as the new Leader of the Opposition, whereas Hon. Bernard Georges was elected as the new Leader of Government Business.
Shortly after, Ms Tanny Samedi also made history by addressing the House in November 2020. The Address to the House was part of the global commemorations of World Children’s Day whereby leaders of the world were asked to give children a voice for that occasion. Giving children a voice is an important component of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which Seychelles has signed. Ms Samedi is officially the third child to address the National Assembly in the history of the Institution and makes it historical as well by being the first disabled child to do so.
The following year, On the 22nd January 2021, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E Mr Wavel Ramkalawan delivered the Message on the State of the Nation Address, also known as SONA. This was the first SONA for his mandate as the newly elected President of the Republic of Seychelles. It was therefore a historical moment for him as a President and for the National Assembly.
On the 1st April 2021, the National Assembly welcomed a new Member of the 7th Assembly. Hon. Noline Sophola swore in and replaced Ms. Chantal Ghislain as a Proportionately Elected Member for the United Seychelles Party. Over a month later on the 25th May 2021, the National Assembly welcomed another Member of the 7th Assembly. Hon. Jany Letourdi swore in and replaced Mr. Clive Roucou as a Proportionately Elected Member for the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa.
On Friday 2nd July the Speaker, Hon Roger Mancienne launched the new theme for the 7th Assembly - ‘Serving a Modern Democracy’. Speaker Mancienne reminded all present that strong parliaments are a cornerstone of democracy. They represent the voice of the people, pass laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account.
On Wednesday 14th July 2021, two Committees namely; the International Affairs Committee and the House Committee sought the approval of the Assembly for the expansion of their respective Terms of References in order to expand their oversight and development Committee work further.
Members of the current Assembly are;
Hon. Roger Mancienne - Speaker and LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Gervais Henrie - Deputy Speaker and LDS Member for Mont Buxton
Hon. Sebastien Pillay - Leader of the Opposition & US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Bernard Georges - Leader of Government Business & LDS Member for Les Mamelles
Hon. Clifford Andre - LDS Member for Anse Aux Pins
Hon. Phillip Arissol - LDS Member for Anse Boileau
Hon. Hon. Georges Romain - LDS Member for Anse Etoile
Hon. Sylvanne Lemiel - US Member for Anse Royale
Hon. Kelly Samynadin - LDS Member for Au Cap
Hon. Francois Adelaide - LDS Member for Baie Lazare
Hon. Churchill Gill - US Member for Baie Ste Anne Praslin
Hon. John Hoareau - LDS Member for Beau Vallon
Hon.Norbert Loizeau - LDS Member for Bel Air
Hon. Sandy Arissol - LDS Member Bel for Ombre
Hon. Philip Monthy - LDS Member for Cascade
Hon. Andy Labonte - LDS Member for English River
Hon. Regina Esparon - LDS Member for Glacis
Hon. Waven William - LDS Member for Grand Anse Mahe
Hon. Wavel Woodcock - LDS Member for Grand Anse Praslin
Hon. Michel Roucou - LDS Member for Mont Fleuri
Hon. Richard Labrosse - LDS Member for Plaisance
Hon.Conrad Gabriel - US Member for Pointe Larue
Hon. Desheila Bastienne - LDS Member for Perseverance
Hon.Egbert Aglae - US Member for Port Glaud
Hon. Audrey Vidot - US Member for Roche Caiman
Hon. Sathya Naidu - LDS Member for St Louis
Hon. Terence Mondon - LDS Member for Takamaka
Hon. Rocky Uranie - US Member for Inner Islands
Hon. Doyace Porice - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Rosie Bistoquet - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Jany Letourdi (1*) - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Naddy Zialor - LDS Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Noline Sophola (2*) - US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Wallace Cosgrow - US Proportionately Elected Member
Hon. Johan Loze - US Proportionately Elected Member
-*1 - Replaced Hon. Clive Roucou
-*2 - Replaced Hon. Chantal Ghislain