On October 4, the dissolution of the Mauritian Parliament set the stage for the upcoming legislative elections, scheduled for November 10. Nomination Day, when candidates officially declare their participation, is slated for October 22. Here's an overview of how the electoral process unfolds in Mauritius.
Mauritius' electoral system
On November 10, an estimated 1,002,857 registered voters will cast their ballots to elect the new government, as reported by the Electoral Commission. In Mauritius, parliamentary elections occur every five years unless early elections are called. The electorate will vote across 21 constituencies, including Rodrigues.
The Mauritian Parliament consists of 70 members, 62 of whom are directly elected within these constituencies. Each constituency, apart from Rodrigues, elects three deputies, while Rodrigues elects two. The remaining eight seats are allocated through the "best losers" system, a unique mechanism designed to ensure fair representation of the island's diverse ethnic communities, thereby striving for a balanced parliamentary makeup.
First-Past-The-Post System
Mauritius operates predominantly under the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral system. In each constituency, voters select from a list of candidates. The top three candidates (or top two in Rodrigues) who garner the highest number of votes are elected, even if they do not secure an outright majority (over 50%). This method tends to favor larger political parties and alliances, as it does not account for vote proportionality.
Following the FPTP seat allocation, the remaining eight seats are distributed via the "best loser" system. This system helps correct ethnic imbalances by awarding seats to candidates who, while not elected, received significant support. These additional seats ensure that the country's ethnic groups are equitably represented in the legislative body.
Who can vote in Mauritius?
To participate in the legislative elections, voters must meet the following conditions:
- Mauritian Citizenship: Only citizens of Mauritius aged 18 and above are eligible to vote. Nationality is a fundamental requirement for electoral participation.
- Registered on the Electoral Roll: Voters must be listed on the electoral register, which is updated during regular enumeration campaigns conducted by agents from the Electoral Commission. Alternatively, registration can take place at designated centers or the Electoral Commissioner's office.
- Residency in a Constituency: Voters are required to reside in one of Mauritius' 21 constituencies, including Rodrigues, at the time of registration. Should a voter change residence, they must update their registration to be eligible to vote in their new constituency.
These regulations ensure that voters remain actively engaged in the nation's civic processes.
How voter registration works
The updated electoral roll was published on August 16, with over a million citizens registered for the November 10 elections. Typically, Electoral Commission officials conduct door-to-door visits to register or confirm voters. However, individuals can also visit registration centers or the Electoral Commissioner's office for this purpose. Citizens who have changed address or recently turned 18 must ensure they are registered to vote, presenting both their national ID card and proof of address.
To verify their registration status, voters can check the official electoral roll online at http://electoral.govmu.org by simply entering their ID card number. Alternatively, voters can send an SMS with “elec” followed by their ID card number to 789 for a confirmation message.
Election campaign and voting
Candidate nominations will be submitted on October 22, kicking off a five-week campaign period during which political parties will outline their platforms, hold rallies, and seek to persuade voters. The Electoral Commissioner has designated 340 polling stations across the nation's 21 constituencies. Ballot counting and the official declaration of results are expected on November 11.
