Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 22, 2023. Photo Credit: AP
Mauritius holds parliamentary elections on Sunday (November 10, 2024), with outgoing Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his main rival promising to tackle the cost-of-living crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
The country of about 1.3 million people markets itself as a link between Africa and Asia, with most of its revenues derived from a prosperous offshore financial sector, tourism and textile sectors.
It has projected economic growth this year at 6.5%, compared with 7.0% last year, but the benefits are not being felt by many voters.
Mr Jugnauth’s Alliance Leppe coalition has promised to raise the minimum wage, increase pensions and reduce value-added taxes on some basic goods.
It says it will use payments from the UK under the October deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Britain, while the US-UK will retain Diego Garcia airport.
Mauritius also receives aid from China.
“The prime minister-led coalition is selling an economic prosperity card, promising more wealth to different sections of the population,” said political analyst Subhash Gobain.
The opposition is also promising to increase pensions as well as introduce free transport and internet services and reduce fuel prices.
It is dominated by the Naveen Ramgoolam-led Alliance du Change coalition and two other parties comprising the Linnean Reform coalition, whose leaders, Nando Bodha and Roshi Bhadain, plan to alternate as prime ministers if they win.
“The youth are the ones who will make the difference in these elections,” voter David Stafford, 36, said in the capital, Port Louis. He said that along with fiscal changes, people are also looking for economic innovation and job opportunities.
More than one million people are expected to elect MPs to the 62 seats of the islands’ parliament from a list of 68 parties and five political coalitions for the next five years.
Last week, citing national security concerns after conversations between public figures were leaked, Mr Jugnauth’s government blocked social media platforms until the day after the election, when results were expected. It lifted the ban a day after the move was criticized by opposition parties.
Voting begins at 0300 GMT on Sunday (November 10, 2024) and ends at 1400 GMT. Whichever party or alliance gets more than half the seats in Parliament also wins the post of Prime Minister.
published – November 10, 2024 08:53 am IST
