MAURITIANS cast their ballots on Sunday in a closely watched parliamentary election, with both Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and opposition candidates focusing their campaigns on addressing the growing cost of living crisis in this prosperous Indian Ocean nation.
According to Reuters, voters across the archipelago nation of 1.3 million people turned out to select lawmakers for 62 parliamentary seats from a field of 68 parties and five political alliances. The electoral body expects results on Monday.
“The alliance led by the prime minister is selling the economic prosperity card, with promises of more money to different segments of the population,” political analyst Subash Gobine told Reuters.
Despite projections of 6.5% economic growth this year, many citizens of the financial and tourism hub say they aren’t seeing the benefits. Jugnauth’s Alliance Lepep coalition has promised increased minimum wages, higher pensions, and reduced VAT on essential goods, partially funded by payments from a recent UK agreement regarding the Chagos Islands.
The opposition, led by the Alliance du Changement coalition under Navin Ramgoolam, has countered with pledges of free transport and internet services, alongside reduced fuel prices and increased pensions.
“Young people would make the difference in the election,” voter David Stafford, 36, told Reuters at a polling station in Port Louis. “People were looking for economic innovation and job opportunities as much as fiscal changes.”
The election faced controversy earlier this month when Jugnauth’s government briefly blocked social media platforms, citing national security concerns, before lifting the ban following opposition criticism.
Labour Party deputy leader Arvin Boolell indicated to Reuters that voter turnout likely exceeded 75%, though official figures were not immediately available when polls closed at 6 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).
The party or coalition securing a parliamentary majority will determine the next prime minister of this strategically positioned nation, which promotes itself as a vital link between Africa and Asia.
