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Amendment to postpone Municipal Elections to 2025 voted amid heated debates

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Amendment to postpone Municipal Elections to 2025 voted amid heated debates
Rezistans Ek Alternativ protestors outside Parliament. Photo: Defi Media

The Local Government Act amendments, which extend the municipal elections until June 2025, have been voted in Parliament – but have sparked widespread debate and elicited various reactions from different political actors.

Critics argue that extending the municipal elections until 2025 would undermine the principles of timely democratic representation and citizens’ right to choose their local representatives.

Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA), a political party known for its grassroots activism and social justice advocacy, held a symbolic demonstration near the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The activists aimed to draw attention to what they perceive as a curtailment of democratic processes and the potential ramifications for local governance.

Leader of the opposition, Xavier-Luc Duval, was the first opposition member to respond to Minister of Local Government Anwar Husnoo’s proposed changes.

“There is no democracy without elections. When you take away the right to vote, you kill democracy. The Constitution mentions Mauritius as a sovereign and democratic state. Democracy does not require winning elections; it simply requires holding elections. This bill is unconstitutional,” he said.

Duval mentioned that they have lawyers examining the proposed bill to challenge it in the Supreme Court. “The postponement of these elections is part of the government’s process of autocratisation.” 

Labour MP Arvin Boolell expressed his strong disapproval, declaring that the bill should be consigned to the “dustbin of history”.

Boolell criticised the government for not presenting a comprehensive white paper that would have undergone extensive public scrutiny. He argued that the bill paves the way for “abusive practices” and raises concerns about the denial of voting rights to 50% of the electorate by postponing the municipal elections.

He accused Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of lacking the courage to dissolve the Parliament.

The debate highlighted the deep divisions between the government and the opposition regarding the timing and implications of the proposed amendments, setting the stage for further political confrontation and scrutiny of democratic processes in Mauritius.

However, Anwar Husnoo, the Minister of Local Government, said the amendments to the Local Government Act aimed at bringing about suitable reform to local communities. 

“In light of emerging trends, particularly in the post-pandemic period, it is imperative to reform the way local elections are conducted within the framework of local administration as a whole. For this reason, it is more than necessary to periodically review and reassess the framework of local administration so that it continues to meet the changing needs of our citizens. The framework of our local administration must also be reformed and adapted to the new realities and requirements of modern Mauritius,” explained Anwar Husnoo.

Sources: Defi Media, Le Mauricien

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Amendment to postpone Municipal Elections voted amid heated debates
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The information and opinions expressed in our published works are those of authors/sources believed to be reliable. NewsMoris makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information expressed.