Seychelles opposition leader wins presidential polls

NAIROBI, Kenya

Seychelles' opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan has defeated the incumbent president in the presidential elections, in the first win for the opposition since 1977.

Ramkalawan, the Seychelles Democratic Alliance’s (LDS) presidential candidate and an Anglican priest, garnered 54.9% of votes, the country’s electoral commission announced on Sunday.

The Seychelles Democratic Alliance (LDS) also won the parliamentary elections, securing two-thirds majority in the parliament.

Faure, 58, conceded defeat just before the electoral commission made the announcement.

Faure’s United Seychelles party had been in power since 1977.

The presidential and parliamentary elections began on Thursday and ran through Saturday.