President Wavel Ramkalawan, chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet yesterday Wednesday 9th April, in which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.
The Cabinet approved the Electoral Commission's proposed legislative amendments to the Elections Act and the Political Parties Act, aimed at modernising Seychelles' electoral framework. These include provisions for online and mobile voter registration, broader use of identification documents, improved accessibility for persons with disabilities, stricter nomination rules, and enhanced use of technology. Amendments to the Political Parties Act focus on increasing transparency, introducing registration fees, and expanding disclosure requirements.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Environment Protection Act 2016, including the expansion of the fixed penalty notice to cover additional offences such as illegal dumping on private property, and an increase in the fixed penalty amount from SR 500 to SR 2,000. These changes aim to strengthen enforcement measures, serve as a stronger deterrent against illegal waste disposal, and align the fixed penalties with similar provisions under other national legislation, thereby improving environmental protection and reducing the burden on the judicial system.
The Cabinet approved the amendment of the Immigration Decree of 1981 to allow passport holders from non-recognised States to enter and exit Seychelles, without implying formal diplomatic recognition. This decision reflects Seychelles’ commitment to upholding human rights, maintaining its principle of non-alignment, aligning with international legal norms, and supporting the growth of its tourism sector.
The Cabinet approved Seychelles’ accession to the International Partnership for Information and Democracy, reaffirming the country’s commitment to upholding freedom of opinion and expression, media independence, and access to reliable information. This decision aligns with Seychelles’ obligations under international human rights instruments and national legislation such as the Access to Information Act 2018, and complements its existing participation in the Media Freedom Coalition and the Open Government Partnership. Joining the Partnership, which entails no financial implications, strengthens Seychelles’ position as a proponent of democratic governance and transparency in the global information space.
The Cabinet approved the policies and standards proposed by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy to improve the recruitment and retention of local crew and skippers in Seychelles' small-scale fisheries sector. This decision acknowledges the sector’s critical role in national food security and economic development, and aims to address labour shortages through modernisation, cross-sector collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and a shift in societal perceptions of the fisheries profession. The policy will be implemented and periodically reviewed by the Ministry, in partnership with key agencies, to ensure it remains responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.
The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Seychelles National Credit Accumulation and Transfer System – Policy and Guidelines (SNCATS), marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to modernise and internationalise its education and training sector. Developed by the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA) with support from the Africa Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) project, SNCATS provides a unified national framework for recognising and transferring learning credits across formal, non-formal, and informal education. This system will enhance learner mobility, support lifelong learning, and promote access, flexibility, and progression within the Seychelles National Qualifications Framework (SNQF), aligning with national development priorities and international best practices.
Relevant Ministries will provide details.