Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest, defeated President Danny Faure after three decades of unsuccessful runs for the presidency of the East African nation, an Indian Ocean archipelago famed for its natural beauty and rare wildlife.

Ramkalawan captured 54.9 per cent of the vote while Faure got 43.5 per cent in the vote held from Thursday through Saturday, the electoral commission announced.

Ramkalawan promised to continue working with Faure - an unusually good-natured transfer of power for the nearby African continent where many rulers are eliminating term limits and cracking down on political opposition.

In 1977, power changed hands via a coup that led to 27 years of rule by Albert Rene, punctuated by several coup attempts including one in 1981 by South African-backed mercenaries masquerading as holidaying rugby players.

Faure's United Seychelles party had been in power during the past 43 years but this was the first time he had faced voters himself. He was vice-president when his predecessor resigned in 2016 after a constitutional amendment was passed limiting presidents to two terms.

Faure's chances may have been damaged by a severe economic downturn. Travel restrictions imposed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic have hit the Seychelles economy hard.

It is a stunning reversal of fragile progress since the government defaulted on its debt in 2008 and sought an IMF bailout.

This week's election was for the presidency and parliament. Ramakalawan's party will have 20 directly elected parliament seats and five nominated ones, while Faure's party will have six directly elected members and four nominated.

Australian Associated Press