On the morning of Thursday 25th September 2025, the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Roger Mancienne and Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac conducted an interview with members of the Media with the aim of clarifying various procedures and processes of parliament during and following the upcoming election period.
Hon. Mancienne began by giving an overview of Article 106(2)(b) of the Constitution of Seychelles, which states that:
(2) The National Assembly shall stand dissolved –
(a) Subject to clause (3) on the day following the end of the period of five years referred to in clause (1);
(b) Where a general election is held before the period of five years referred to in clause (1), on the day next following the declaration of the results of the election; or
(c) In accordance with article 110 or article 111.
As the expected declaration of the results of the election, as set in the 11th Amendment of the Constitution, is to be on September 28th of 2025, the official dissolution of the National Assembly is set for the 29th of September 2025. Until such date, Members of the National Assembly remain in office and the Assembly may be summoned to convene should there be a situation which requires legislative action. The Hon. Speaker then briefly touched on the importance of a smooth transition of power and maintenance of a peaceful democracy should there be a change in government.
Clerk Mrs. Isaac, followed up on Hon. Mancienne’s intervention and clarified that upon the publication of election results by the Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS) in the official Gazette, the President of the Republic may then summon the first meeting of the National Assembly. During this first meeting, members of the 8th Assembly will take the Oath of Allegiance and be sworn into office, and the National Assembly will then elect its Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and Leader of Government Business. The Clerk then spoke on the structured induction process of newly elected Members, emphasising that this would be a key period where MNAs will receive tailored materials and specialised training sessions in order to enhance their knowledge and confidence as they enter office.
The induction period, set to be a week-long, would also involve key stakeholders hosting presentations and capacity-building sessions to equip members on various legislative and national processes. It was also confirmed that the procedures to conclude the current 7th Assembly were already well underway, with the final salary date for MNAs set as the 28th of September 2025.
Speaker Mancienne thanked the Media representatives for their diligent coverage of the proceedings before, during and after the General Elections, before the interview concluded.
