Alexia Amesbury
Alexcia Amesbury in 2015
Born
Alexia G. Jumeau

1951 (age 72–73)
Praslin, Mahé, Seychelles
NationalitySeychellois
Alma materLondon School of Economics
Occupations
Political partySeychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy

Alexia Amesbury (born c. 1951, née Jumeau) is a Seychellois politician and a lawyer by profession.[1] Under the umbrella of the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy, she contested in the 2015 presidential election to become the first woman to contest a Seychellois presidential election.[2][3]

Early life

Amesbury was born at Praslin, Mahé, Seychelles and grew up in the St. Elizabeth’s Convent in Seychelles until she moved to Kenya in 1961 where she completed her O' and A'levels.[4]

Education

At the age of 37, she matriculated at a University in the United Kingdom to study Law before proceeding to the London School of Economics and Political Science where a master's degree in International Law.[4]

Career

In 2015, she became the first woman to contest in a Seychellois presidential election after she represented the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy during the 2015 presidential election.[5] She received a total of 803 votes in the first round.[5] While Amesbury did not advance to the second round of voting, she supported Wavel Ramkalawan in the run-off election.[6]

Controversy

After James Michel won the 2015 election, Amesbury believed that the results were invalid based on Seychelles's Constitution. Amesbury explained that according to the Constitution of Seychelles, the fifth section of Schedule 3 states that a candidate in Seychelles cannot be elected president unless they receive more than half of the votes during the election.[7]

Personal life

In 1972, she married an Englishman with whom she had six children. The couple divorced in 1998.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy presidential candidate Alexia Amesbury". Seychelles Nation. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Alexia Amesbury ends campaign on her home island". Seychelles Nation. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  3. ^ Rassin Vannier; Madiha Philo; Sharon Uranie (27 November 2015). "Seychelles: 'The Most Important Thing I Want to Tackle Is to Eliminate Poverty' - Interview Seychelles Presidential Candidate Alexia Amesbury". Seychelles News Agency. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Dianne Dalida (14 May 2015). "ALEXIA G. AMESBURY; A REAL LIFE FAIRYTALE". Seychelles Voice. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b Uranie, Sharon (6 December 2015). "Seychelles presidential race heading for run-off within 14 days - no candidate wins absolute majority after 'highly contested' first round". Seychelles News Agency. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  6. ^ Bonnelame, Betymie. "Seychelles Presidential Election - Second-Round Vote Begins". allafrica.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  7. ^ "2015 Presidential runoff: An irregular affair". seychelles-enews.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
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