Mauritius Holds Election Amid Growing Concerns Over Cost of Living

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius (AfrikTimes) – Mauritius held a parliamentary election on Sunday in which Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his main opponents all promised to tackle a cost of living crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Polls closed at 6 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) and results were expected on Monday, according to the country’s electoral body.

The island country of about 1.3 million people markets itself as a link between Africa and Asia, deriving most of its revenues from a flourishing offshore financial sector, tourism and textiles. Mauritius also receives aid from China. It has forecast 6.5% economic growth this year compared with 7.0% last year but many voters are not feeling the benefits.

Leader of the Labour Party, Navin Ramgoolan, casts his vote in Mauritian elections in Port Louis, Sunday Nov. 10, 2024. (La Sentinelle via AP)

Jugnauth’s Alliance Lepep coalition has promised to raise the minimum wage, increase pensions, and reduce value-added tax on some basic goods. It says it will use payments from the UK under an October agreement for Britain to cede the Chagos Islands while retaining the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base. “The alliance led by the prime minister is selling the economic prosperity card, with promises of more money to different segments of the population,” said political analyst Subash Gobine.

The opposition has also pledged to raise pensions and introduce free public transport, internet services, and fuel price reductions. The opposition is led by the Alliance du Changement coalition, headed by Navin Ramgoolam, and two other parties running in the Linion Reform alliance. Nando Bodha and Roshi Bhadain, leaders of the latter alliance, have proposed alternating as prime minister if they win.

Voters are picking lawmakers for the 62 seats in parliament for the next five years from a list of 68 parties and five political alliances.

Music instructor Ivan Mootooveeren, 41, who cast his ballot at a polling center in the capital, Port Louis, told reporters he was voting for the opposition because the country needed a new direction.

Supporters of Alliance du Changement party hold flags as they gather to attend a campaign rally led by former Prime Minister of Mauritius and candidate Navin Ramgoolam in Port Louis on November 3, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Mauritian general election. (Photo by Laura MOROSOLI / AFP)

Another voter, David Stafford, 36, said young people would make the difference in the election. He did not say who he was voting for but added that people were looking for economic innovation and job opportunities as much as fiscal changes.

Arvin Boolell, deputy leader of the Labour Party and a member of the opposition coalition, told reporters that voter turnout was likely to have exceeded 75%. The electoral body could not be immediately reached to give an official figure for turnout.

Whichever party or coalition gets more than half of the seats in parliament will also win the prime minister’s post.

Earlier this month, Jugnauth’s government blocked social media platforms until a day after the election, citing national security concerns after conversations between public figures were leaked. It lifted the ban a day later after opposition parties criticized the move.