April 28, 2011 -- President James Michel and his running mate, Vice-President Danny Faure, were the first to present their nomination papers yesterday to run in the May 19-21 president election.

Other candidates who presented their papers to the electoral commissioner, Mr  Hendrick Gappy were the teams of Mr Wavel Ramkalawan and Mr Nicholas Prea of the Seychelles National Party (SNP), Mr Ralph Volcere and Mr George Bibi of the New Democratic Party (NDP), and Mr Philippe Boule and Mr Henry Naiken as independent candidates.

A fifth, and private, nomination came from Mr Viral Dhanjee and his proposed running-mate Mr Mike Chadstone, were rejected after the electoral office found that it did not have the 500 certified sponsors required.

President Michel of Parti Lepep said he was confident the people will give him another mandate for him to continue the work he has started.

"Mr Faure and I represent an experienced team with a lot of knowledge and we have been working very hard and will continue to do so," said Mr Michel.

The outgoing president wished for a peaceful election campaign. He called for respect for one another and for the opinions of other people.