National Assembly (Seychelles) Explained

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National Assembly
Native Name:Seychellois Creole

Lasanble Nasyonal
French: link=yes|italic=yes|Assemblée nationale

Legislature:7th National Assembly
Logo Pic:Logo of the National Assembly of Seychelles.svg
Logo Res:170px
Logo Alt:Logo of the National Assembly of Seychelles.
House Type:Unicameral
Foundation:[1]
Preceded By:People's Assembly of Seychelles
Leader1 Type:Speaker
Leader1 Term:Roger Mancienne
Party1:LDS
Election1:28 October 2020
Leader2 Type:Deputy Speaker
Leader2:Gervais Henrie
Party2:LDS
Election2:28 October 2020
Leader3 Type:Leader of Government Business
Leader3:Bernard Georges
Party3:LDS
Election3:28 October 2019
Leader4 Type:Leader of the Opposition
Leader4:Sebastien Pillay
Party4:US
Election4:28 October 2020
Seats:35
Structure1:Seychelles 2020 Parliament after elections.svg
Structure1 Res:250px
Structure1 Alt:Composition of the National Assembly of Seychelles after the 2020 General elections
Political Groups1:Government (25)

Opposition (10)

Term Length:5 years
Seats10 Title:-->
Seats10:-->
Voting System1:Parallel voting
First Election1:20–23 July 1993
Last Election1:22–24 October 2020
Next Election1:Not before 31 October 2025
Motto:United in diversity
Seychellois Creole: Linite dans diversite
Session Room:Seychelles National Assembly session.jpg
Meeting Place:National Assembly Building, Victoria
Constitution:Constitution of Seychelles

The unicameral National Assembly (French: Assemblée nationale, Creole: Lasanble Nasyonal) is the Seychelles's legislative body.

The National Assembly in its current constellation formed following elections held on 22–24 October 2020, with a total of 35 members. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Roger Mancienne, in office since 28 October 2020.[2]

Background

The current National Assembly was preceded by the Legislative Council of Seychelles from 1962 to 1970, the Legislative Assembly from 1970 to 1974, the House of Assembly from 1975 to 1976, the National Assembly 1976 to 1977 and the People's Assembly from 1979 to 1993.[3]

26 members are elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority (or First-past-the-post) system. The remaining up to nine members are elected through a system of proportional representation. Members serve five-year terms.[4]

The working language of the National Assembly is Seychellois Creole. With permission from the speaker, members may address the assembly in English or French. Visitors may address the assembly in other languages with the speaker's permission.[5]

List of speakers

PositionNameTook officeLeft officeNotes
Legislative Council of SeychellesJulian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and AsquithJanuary 1962February 1967Also colonial governors[6] [7]
Hugh Norman-WalkerFebruary 1967January 1969
Bruce GreatbatchJanuary 1969November 1970
Speaker of the Legislative AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne19701974[8]
Speaker of the House of AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne19751976
Speaker of the National AssemblyMichel Lousteau-Lalanne1976June 1977
In abeyanceJune 19771979[9]
Chairman of the People's AssemblyDavid Thomas19791979
Chairman of the People's AssemblyJohn Renaud19791983
Chairman of the People's AssemblyJohn Mascarenhas1983December 1987
Chairman of the People's AssemblyFrancis MacGregorDecember 19871993

Speakers and deputy speakers of the National Assembly of Seychelles since the 1993 multiparty elections:

LegislatureSpeakerDeputyEntered officeLeft office
First National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur30 July 19931998
Second National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur30 March 19982002
Third National AssemblyFrancis MacGregorShelton Jolicoeur
Dick Esparon[10]
17 December 20022007
Fourth National AssemblyPatrick HerminieWilby Lucas[11] 29 May 20072011
Fifth National AssemblyPatrick HerminieAndre Pool2011September 2016
Sixth National AssemblyPatrick PillayNicholas Prea27 September 201629 January 2018
Nicholas PreaAhmed Afif6 March 201828 October 2020
Seventh National AssemblyRoger MancienneGervais Henrie28 October 2020present

Parliamentary leaders

The members serving as Leader of Government Business since 1993:

LegislatureMemberPartyEntered officeLeft office
First National AssemblyDanny FaureSeychelles People's Progressive Front30 July 19931998
Second National AssemblyPatrick HerminieSeychelles People's Progressive Front30 March 19982002
Third National AssemblyPatrick HerminieSeychelles People's Progressive Front17 December 20022007
Fourth National AssemblyMarie-Louise PotterSeychelles People's Progressive Front29 May 20072011
Fifth National AssemblyMarie-Louise PotterPeople's Party2011March 2012[12]
Marie-Antoinette RosePeople's PartyMarch 2012May 2016[13]
Charles DeCommarmondPeople's Party7 June 2016[14] September 2016
Sixth National AssemblyCharles DeCommarmondUnited Seychelles27 September 201628 October 2020
Seventh National AssemblyBernard GeorgesLinyon Demokratik Seselwa28 October 2020present
The members serving as Leader of the Opposition since 1993:[15]
LegislatureMemberPartyEntered officeLeft office
First National AssemblyJames ManchamSeychelles Democratic Party30 July 19931998
Second National AssemblyWavel RamkalawanSeychelles National Party30 March 19982002
Third National AssemblyWavel RamkalawanSeychelles National Party17 December 20022007
Fourth National AssemblyWavel RamkalawanSeychelles National Party29 May 20072011
Fifth National AssemblyDavid PierrePopular Democratic Movement201115 May 2016
Francesca MonnaiePopular Democratic Movement16 May 2016September 2016
Sixth National AssemblyWavel RamkalawanLinyon Demokratik Seselwa27 September 201628 October 2020
Seventh National AssemblySebastien PillayUnited Seychelles28 October 2020present

2020 National Assembly elections

See main article: 2020 Seychellois parliamentary election.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 8 facts about the logo of the Seychelles National Assembly . Ernesta. Sharon. August 2, 2018. www.seychellesnewsagency.com. August 13, 2018.
  2. News: New LDS-strong National Assembly sworn in. Seychelles Nation. 29 October 2020.
  3. Web site: Our History – The National Assembly of Seychelles. Stanley. Allagain.
  4. Web site: Seychelles National Assembly Election 2020. 29 October 2020. Election Commission Seychelles.
  5. Web site: 2020-10-30. Standing Orders, 2020. 2022-01-21. The National Assembly of Seychelles. en.
  6. Web site: The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 1962.
  7. Web site: The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 1970.
  8. Book: MacGregor, Francis E. . A Parliamentary History of Seychelles . September 12, 2004 . F.E. MacGregor . 9789993160007 . Francis MacGregor . Google Books.
  9. Web site: The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth. 1978.
  10. Web site: MFA Press Statement Presentation of Credentials . www.mfa.gov.sg . en.
  11. Web site: Dr Patrick Herminie is the new National Assembly Speaker-Wilby Lucas new Deputy Speaker, former Speaker McGregor retires -Archive -Seychelles Nation . nation.sc.
  12. Web site: Georges. Ambassador Potter retires from public service. 2022-01-21. Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture. en-US.
  13. Web site: Seychelles' National Assembly approves ambassador nominations. 2022-01-22. www.seychellesnewsagency.com.
  14. Web site: Seychelles' National Assembly approves ambassador nominations. 2022-01-22. www.seychellesnewsagency.com.
  15. Web site: History of the National Assembly. 2022-01-21. The National Assembly of Seychelles. en.