The Seychelles became a one-party state under France-Albert René, but were restored to a multi-party system beginning in 1991.

Previously, the Seychellois economy was characterized by price, trade and foreign exchange controls, a prominent role for parastatal companies, and robust debt-funded development spending, leading to the near-depletion of official foreign exchange reserves in October 2008.

The government subsequently turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support, and in an attempt to meet the conditions for a stand-by loan, began implementing a program of radical reforms.

A small breakaway faction of the SNP called the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) did contest the election, but earned no seats in parliament.

PDM leader David Pierre and Parti Lepep (People’s Party) leader James Michel both expressed dissatisfaction with the way parliamentary sears were distributed - Michel argued that PP should have been given all of the seats, given their overwhelming majority, while Pierre had expected to gain at least one seat in parliament.

Pierre argued further that the dominance of Parti Lepep boded ill for the fate of multi-party democracy in Seychelles, and that there was now no platform through which opposition could be voiced.

Nonetheless, the election was declared to be largely free and fair according to monitors from the Southern African Development Community.