20110521
Reuters
VICTORIA (Reuters) - The people of Seychelles cast their ballots in a final day of polling on Saturday in a presidential election tainted by opposition accusations of voter bribery by the ruling party.

Casting his vote, President James Michel said he was confident he would be elected to a second full term in office following the poll, which kicked off on the Indian Ocean archipelago's remotest islands on Thursday.

Michel has overseen a raft of economic reforms to liberalise the economy after the palm-fringed islands faced an acute balance of payments crisis, boosting his popularity as he emerged from the shadow of his predecessor's 27-year rule.

"With all the hotel investments in the country we have more jobs to chose from, thanks to the government's efforts to lure in more foreign investors," said security guard Barney Francois after giving Michel his vote on the main island of Mahe.

A Reuters witness described voting as peaceful and orderly on the islands best known as a luxury tropical retreat for royals and tycoons.

Britain's Prince William and his new wife Kate have just ended a 10-day honeymoon on Seychelles' exclusive North Island, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed officially for the first time on Saturday.

Seeking to extend his Lepep Party's 34-year rule for another five years, Michel is up against four other candidates, of whom only one, Wavel Ramkalawan, is seen as a real contender.

Ramkalawan, an Anglican priest, accused ruling party agents of voter fraud.

"There are many incidents of corruption in which Parti Lepep supporters are giving my supporters cash and asking them not to vote at all," Ramkalawan told Reuters.

"Allegations will always be there but I have made sure as far as my party is concerned that we are doing nothing that is against the rules," Michel told reporters at his polling station. Results are due any time from 1900 GMT.

Under Michel's leadership, the islands have opened their doors to foreign investors, notably from the Gulf states and China, in the tourism, construction and real estate sectors.

Critics accuse him of selling off Seychelles' prime land.

Observers expect his re-election would mean continuity for the economic reforms, which included floating the Seychelles rupee against major currencies and an overhaul of the tax system.

Michel joined government in 1977 when former president Albert Rene grabbed power in a bloodless coup, rising to be the socialist leader's vice-president until Rene resigned mid-term, citing ill health in 2004 and handing over power to Michel.