Around one million eligible voters in the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius are set to participate in the upcoming national election on Sunday amidst a scandal involving government officials and covert wiretapping. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has maintained a strong parliamentary democracy, with this being the 12th national election. Typically, elections in Mauritius are considered free and fair, with a high voter turnout of nearly 80 percent. However, this time around, leaked recordings have caused significant tension and dominated the campaign season, leading to a social media ban that was later overturned after public outcry.
Known for its picturesque white beaches, Mauritius boasts a high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $10,000, one of the highest in Africa, due to its diverse economy encompassing manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, and a growing pharmaceutical industry. The country, with a population of 1.3 million, is culturally diverse, with communities tracing their ancestry to Asian and African indentured and enslaved individuals who served under colonial rule.
The wiretapping scandal, which involved the release of audio recordings on TikTok, implicated high-ranking politicians in conversations about various individuals and institutions. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth has initiated a judicial investigation into the matter, suggesting that the recordings may have been manipulated using artificial intelligence. The government’s implementation of a social media ban was met with criticism from opposition groups, who accused Jugnauth of trying to suppress further leaks ahead of the election.
In the upcoming election, voters will elect members of the National Assembly from multiple parties, with a “best loser” system allocating additional seats to losing parties based on ethnic and religious quotas. The main contenders include Prime Minister Jugnauth of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), Navin Ramgoolam of the Labour Party, and Nando Bodha of Linion Reform. Key issues in the election include high living costs, crime and drug abuse, and concerns about corruption and transparency in government.