Population: 89,188

Constitution: Republic

Date of Independence: 29 Jun 1976

CPA Branch Formed: 01 Jan 1995

Voting Age: 18

Branch Profile:

The Republic of Seychelles is a sovereign democratic state with the Constitution as the supreme law of Seychelles. In June 1993, the current constitution came into practice when a referendum approved the constitution drafted by an elected Constitutional Commission. Previously, the Seychelles became independent within the Commonwealth in June 1976 and had become a one-party state under the regime established following the 1977 military coup. However legislation to allow opposition parties had only been passed in December 1991. The legislative power of Seychelles is now vested in the National Assembly and is exercised subject to and in accordance with the Constitution. The president is both the chief of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. The Council of Ministers serves as a cabinet, and its members are appointed by the president. The unicameral National Assembly has 34 seats--25 elected by popular vote and 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve 5-year terms. The judicial branch includes a Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president. The legal system is based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law. Seychelles has had a multi-party system with the adoption of a new constitution in 1993. Since then, multi-party elections took place in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, and 2008.The principal political parties are the New Democratic Party (NDP); Seychelles National Party (SNP); Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF). In the 2007 elections, The Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) held the presidency and retained the overall majority in the National Assembly.
*Sources:www.peopleinpower.com