Electoral Commission Clarifies Registration Issues for Mauritian Citizens Abroad

The Electoral Commission of Mauritius has issued a statement regarding the recent case of a young citizen, Mathieu Dacruz, who expressed his concerns about being denied the right to register as a voter while abroad. Dacruz, aged 20, reached out to the commission, claiming that it was infringing on his constitutional rights.

Irfan Rahman, the Electoral Commissioner, responded by clarifying that the commission is strictly adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act (RPA).

He emphasized, “It is not my decision. According to Section 42 of the Constitution, a person must have resided in Mauritius for at least two years and must be physically present in the country as of January 1st to register as a voter.”

Rahman pointed out that Dacruz had not been in Mauritius from August 2022 until May 2024, having returned only in May of this year.

He further explained that the RPA allows any Mauritian who believes their name is missing from the electoral roll to register in person at the commission’s office between May 15 and May 30 each year.

The electoral body had conducted a media campaign encouraging citizens to register during this period.

“It was incumbent upon him to visit our office immediately upon his return,” Rahman stated.

“Thus, the Electoral Commission must adhere to Section 42 of the Constitution and the RPA. This is not a decision made by us; rather, it is a matter of legal compliance.”

This issue is not isolated to Dacruz, as the same regulations apply to any Mauritian citizen who has been similarly unable to register in order to be included in the electoral list, which is set to be published at the end of this week.

Source: l’Express