General Election More Likely in November 2024

Sources close to the Sun Trust have indicated that holding general elections in November 2024 is becoming increasingly likely. This could lead to a dissolution of the National Assembly in early October, ahead of the by-election in constituency number 10 scheduled for October 9. If confirmed, the election campaign will be short.

According to insiders, the government is leaning towards holding general elections around November 2024.

There is also a serious consideration for dissolving the National Assembly in early October, before the by-election in constituency number 10 (Montagne-Blanche/GRSE) scheduled for October 9.

This by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Minister Vikram Hurdoyal as MP for this constituency on February 13.

If the November general election option is maintained, the election campaign will be brief.

Under the law, the shortest period between dissolution and elections is one month. To recall, the last general election was held on November 7, 2019.

The Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, has already hinted at this possibility on several occasions, including recently.

During the latest meeting of the Socialist Militant Movement (MSM) central committee at the Sun Trust building in Port-Louis on July 6, he told members that “the government will complete its term”.

The possibility of holding general elections in late August, which had been circulating a few weeks ago, is increasingly unlikely.

With Adrien Duval’s installation as Speaker on Thursday, July 18, the National Assembly cannot go on vacation immediately.

According to our findings, three more sessions are still scheduled.

The next one is set for Tuesday, July 23, which rules out the August 22 date.

Between the “Writ of Elections”, “Nomination Day”, and other procedures outlined in the law, it takes at least one month and up to a maximum of 145 days after dissolution of the National Assembly.

Two bills are on the agenda for this session: the Mauritius Strategy Board Bill and the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

The latter is aiming to amend several laws to enable implementation of measures presented by Finance Minister Renganaden Padayachy in the budget presented to Parliament on June 7.

From mid-September to about two weeks later, this period is not conducive to general elections, according to the Hindu calendar.

Once this period ends, it will be time for Durga Puja, one of the main annual festivals of the Hindu community.

According to a representative of the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation, it runs from October 3 to 12.

The National Assembly will automatically be dissolved on November 21 unless the government decides otherwise. If it does so, a by-election will be held at constituency number 10.

Sources: Defi Media