In Mauritius, the campaign for the legislative elections ended on Friday evening, November 8. More than a million voters are called to the polls on Sunday November 10 in the island’s 21 constituencies. Competition is intense between the two major coalitions: the People’s Alliance, of the outgoing majority, and the Change Alliance. If the majority intended to capitalize on the recent recognition of Mauritian sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, it was splashed by an illegal wiretapping scandal.
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With our correspondent in Port-Louis, Abdoollah Earally
Friday, November 8 in the evening, the two blocs made their final demonstrations of force to rally undecided voters. The two main coalitions in the running have carried out their last operations to mobilize their supporters. The island Mauritius was animated Friday evening by parades of cars and motorcycles, while the candidates held their final meetings. And after six weeks of an intense campaigncalm returns on Saturday November 9, thanks to the electoral silence.
This election was marked by unprecedented events in the democratic history of the country. A week ago, the authorities suspended social networksciting national security, but backed down 24 hours later in the face of widespread outrage.
Another new fact: the revelation of a wiretapping program targeting journalists, politicians and influential figures. An anonymous informant released the recordings on social media, exposing government interference in key institutions, from the police to the judiciary. A case which notably highlighted the involvement of the Prime Minister’s wife in national institutions and affairs. These revelations embarrass the outgoing majority, the People’s Alliance. Led by the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, it faces a major challenger, Navin Ramgoolam, leader of the Alliance for Change.
Also readLegislative elections in Mauritius: two major coalitions meeting in Port-Louis in a tense climate
Voters more concerned about purchasing power and insecurity than about Chagos
However, the Prime Minister had called legislative elections on October 4, last to capitalize on a historic diplomatic breakthrough and strengthen its majority position. On October 3, the United Kingdom recognized the Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos archipelagoputting an end to a dispute dated to Mauritian independence from the British Empire in 1968.
However, this success did not have the expected impact on the electoral campaign. Voters seem more concerned about concrete issues such as purchasing power, the fight against drugs or insecurity.
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