James Michel was elected as president of Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago country, for a five-year term, electoral commissioner Hendrick Gappy announced at early hours on Monday after a three-day national polling.

Michel, president-elect and also incumbent president, said he was satisfied with the way the election was conducted and promised that the new government will be one for all Seychellois, when he was addressing international observers, diplomats, journalists and the nation after the announcement, .

"I will be the president of every Seychellois... and I will do my best with determination and courage to work for every Seychellois without discrimination," the president-elect said.

He urged all political parties to work together for the benefit of the country and its people though they might have different ideologies and political opinions.

Michel scooped 30,119 votes, or 53.73 percent, against opposition leader of Seychelles National Party Wavel Ramkalawan's 25,626 votes, or 45.71 percent.

Independent candidate Philippe Boulle has taken away the remaining 314 votes, or a paltry 0.56 percent.

The turnout was about 86 percent in the tiny country with a population estimated at 81,541.

Losing the presidential election for the fourth time, Ramkalawan said he had hoped the outcome could be a different way.

However, he said he respected the result as a "true democrat".

In the meantime, he called on the president-elect to fulfill his words sincerely as he has promised in the last two years and to give every Seychellois opportunities to be what he wants to be.

The president-elect will be inaugurated on Tuesday and leaders of several African countries have been invited to attend the ceremony.

Michel came to power after succeeding France Albert Rene who resigned in April 2004.

The 62-year-old, described as "a man of great virtues", came from a background of teacher. He rose to political importance through involvement in tourism industry and engagement in Rene's political party since 1974.

Michel has served as vice president at the Rene administration since 1996. He also participated in the country's democratization process that started with multiparty elections in 1993.

After coming into power, the Seychellois government under Michel has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has made concerted efforts to widen its economic base by promoting the development of farming, fishing and small-scale manufacturing.

Source: Xinhua