PORT LOUIS (9th November 2024)-As Mauritians are prepared to cast their votes tomorrow at the National and Parliamentary Elections, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), led by Hon. Mohamed Chande Othman, continues its active engagement with different stakeholders in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral process in the country.
Among key stakeholders engaged, are the International Election Observation Missions (IEOM) in the country.Speaking at the SADC Pre-Election meeting with the IEOMs namely the African Union Election Observation Mission, International Organization of the Francophonie, and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries); Hon. Othman reiterated President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s mandated commitment as the current Chair of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, to observe electoral processes across the SADC region and expressed gratitude for the cooperation extended by the Mauritian government as well as by other collaborating International Observation Missions who have also within their mandate, partake this democratic exercise for the progress of African Countries.
Since his arrival in Mauritius, Hon. Othman, who is also the former Chief Justice of the United Republic of Tanzania, and his SEOM team in collaboration with other SADC TROIKA members from Malawi and Zambia and with help from SADC Electoral Advisory Council represented by Tanzania and DRCongo, has been overseeing SEOM’s strategic consultations with a diverse array of stakeholders, gathering invaluable insights that will contribute to SEOM’s evaluation and recommendations in this yet another highly anticipated election in the SADC region for the year 2024.
Following its official launch on November 5, 2024, in Port Louis, part of SEOM team at the headquarters, has engaged with various stakeholders in Mauritius including Government Bodies and Senior Officials, Political Parties, Religious Leaders, Academia, and the Diplomatic Corps.
Government Bodies and Senior Officials
Hon. Othman’s delegation delved into extensive consultation meetings with various stakeholders from government bodies and senior officials. Series of meeting commenced with a courtesy call to H.E. Hon. Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade and also Attorney General of Mauritius.
The team also met for consultation with Mr. Anil Kumar Dip, National Commissioner of the Mauritius Police Force, where they discussed security measures in place for the election period.
SEOM also met with the Electoral Commission leadership, where they received detailed briefings on election preparations and the logistical framework in place to ensure a transparent voting process.
Other government bodies that were consulted by Hon. Othman’s team were senior officials from the Mauritian Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the Government Information System Unit. These discussions focused on media coverage and the dissemination of election-related information to ensure the public is well-informed.
Political Parties
SEOM delegation also had an engagement with Political Parties in Mauritius whereby political leaders from Linion Reform (Reform Union) Party, followed by Alliance du Changement (Alliance of Change) Party, and Alliance Lepep (People’s Alliance) Party were engaged by the team. In these meetings, political representatives shared their perspectives on the election environment and expectations for a fair and peaceful process. political parties, media, security forces, and civil society organizations.
Religious Leaders, Academia, and the Diplomatic Corps
Hon. Othman’s team met with leaders of the Mauritius Council of Religions, whose representatives highlighted the role of faith-based communities in fostering peace and encouraging civic engagement among voters. A subsequent meeting with academics from the University of Mauritius and other institutions provided valuable perspectives on the electoral process from an academic and research standpoint.
The team also held discussions with members of the diplomatic corps, including representatives from the United Nations and SADC Member States accredited to Mauritius. These discussions focused on international cooperation and shared interests in supporting Mauritius’ commitment to a credible and peaceful electoral process.
H.E. Lisa Simrique Singh, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, offered insights on international support for Mauritius' democratic processes.
Key Highlights from Stakeholder Consultations
Throughout the consultation process, Hon. Othman and the SEOM team received valuable input from various sectors, underscoring the strengths of Mauritius’s electoral framework while also identifying areas for improvement.
The Mission’s consultations covered a range of topics, from security preparations to logistical challenges and media coverage. Below are some of the key findings from these engagements:
Commitment to Peaceful Elections: Stakeholders widely acknowledged the commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
The prevailing sentiment was one of confidence, with stakeholders expressing satisfaction with the orderly nature of pre-election activities.
SEOM observers reported a well-organized campaign environment characterized by peaceful rallies, door-to-door campaigns, and structured events, reflecting the disciplined approach of candidates and parties.
Police Presence and Security: Stakeholders generally appreciated the visible police presence across the constituencies and acknowledged the advanced planning by security forces for polling day.
However, some raised concerns about the independence of specific members within the police force, suggesting that a small faction might act under governmental influence, potentially impacting their impartiality in addressing electoral irregularities. This concern highlights the importance of maintaining a transparent and trustworthy security presence.
Prohibition of Alcohol Sales: In line with ensuring a peaceful electoral atmosphere, stakeholders noted that alcohol sales have been temporarily banned on the day before and on election day.
This proactive measure, supported by public awareness campaigns, was positively received, signaling the authorities’ commitment to maintaining order.
Social Media Suspension: One of the more contentious issues discussed was the temporary suspension of social media.
While some stakeholders viewed this as a necessary security measure, particularly to curb misinformation, others raised concerns that it limits political engagement and inhibits the communication flow between candidates and the electorate.
This measure underscores the balance between safeguarding national security and ensuring freedom of expression.
Lack of Electoral Reforms: Stakeholders reported that no major electoral reforms have been introduced since the last election cycle.
While the existing mechanisms for complaints and appeals were acknowledged, concerns were raised about the lengthy process times, which could affect the timely resolution of election-related issues.
Gender Representation: The SEOM consultations highlighted concerns about gender representation in the National Assembly. Despite women comprising 51.3% of registered voters, they make up only 18% of the candidates for National Assembly positions.
Some stakeholders attributed this disparity to insufficient support at the national level for female candidates, while others pointed to a lack of public endorsement for women in political roles. Addressing gender parity remains a significant area of focus for Mauritius.
Media Coverage and Fair Representation: The role of media in the electoral process was another topic of discussion.
While state-owned media was commended for its attempts to provide balanced coverage, stakeholders expressed concerns that smaller parties may not receive adequate attention, with private media coverage sometimes perceived as biased.
This highlights the need for media impartiality to ensure all voices are represented.
Logistical and Voter Education Challenges: SEOM noted that the distribution of election materials has been generally smooth.
However, in some constituencies, voter education materials provided by the Electoral Commission of Mauritius were not visible.
This raised questions about voter preparedness and awareness, particularly for first-time voters and marginalized groups.Additionally, logistical issues, such as accessibility of ballot transportation routes, were flagged as potential obstacles.
Calls for Technological Advancements: There is a growing demand for technological integration in the electoral process. Stakeholders proposed on-site vote counting and the adoption of digital tools for faster and more accurate result tabulation.
Hon. Othman acknowledged that these suggestions, if implemented, could enhance transparency and contribute to public confidence in future elections.
Trust in the Electoral Commission: Generally agreed outcome from the consultations was the strong confidence expressed by stakeholders in the Electoral Commission of Mauritius.
Many commended the Commission for its active engagement with political parties and transparency in resolving election-related queries. This trust is a testament to the Commission’s dedication to upholding democratic standards.
In his concluding remarks, Hon. Othman expressed optimism that Mauritius will uphold its reputation for conducting peaceful and credible elections.
“Tomorrow’s election is an important moment for the people of Mauritius, and SEOM is here to observe, report, and support the democratic aspirations of this nation.
"We are confident that all stakeholders will continue to foster an environment that respects the will of the people,” he said.
The SEOM team will be stationed across the country on election day to monitor polling activities closely.
A preliminary statement detailing SEOM’s findings and initial observations will be released on November 13, 2024, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis, where diplomatic representatives and the media are invited to attend.
This report will provide an impartial assessment of the election’s conduct, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for further improvement.
Hon. Othman emphasized the importance of transparency in SEOM’s mission and commended the collaborative efforts of other international observer groups, including the Francophone, AU, and SADC Election Commission Forum observer missions.
“Our combined efforts will provide a well-rounded perspective on the electoral process, ensuring that the final assessment reflects a comprehensive view of the election,” he added.
The SADC Electoral Observation Mission to Mauritius reinforces the regional commitment to upholding democratic principles and peaceful transitions of power.
Hon. Othman’s leadership and SEOM’s impartial approach underscore SADC’s dedication to supporting democratic integrity across the region.As Mauritius heads to the polls, SEOM’s presence signifies solidarity with the nation’s democratic journey, assuring Mauritians that their votes will be respected.