Concerns about Electoral integrity as Mauritians vote on Nov 10

On November 10, more than 1,002,857 Mauritians will head to the polling stations to cast their votes in the upcoming elections. However, there are rising concerns about the potential for compromised democratic practices and electoral integrity. Public anxiety has been amplified by fears of corruption that could taint the election process, leading citizens to seek reassurance that electoral integrity will be upheld under all circumstances.

In recent days, social media has been flooded with messages warning about possible attempts to manipulate the elections.

Leaders from the Alliance for Change convened with representatives from the Electoral Commission last week to voice their concerns.

It is paramount for citizens to trust the electoral process to ensure their participation on voting day.

The fear of post-voting result manipulation is contributing to these worries, with various allegations surfacing about electoral fraud.

Specific fears involve the insertion of pre-filled ballots, the alteration of vote counts, or, in extreme cases, the destruction of ballot boxes to invalidate opposition votes.

Allegations of widespread electoral fraud have also made headlines, with viral videos cautioning voters against using pens with disappearing ink.

Moreover, there are calls for voters to use their own pens instead of those provided by the Electoral Commission to further ensure the integrity of their ballots.

Rumors about the presence of foreign operatives, including individuals from Israel, India, and even Ukraine, have added to the general atmosphere of anxiety.

Navin Ramgoolam, the leader of the Alliance for Change, has consistently raised these issues at public gatherings and has even had discussions with the Electoral Commission regarding these concerns.

Many social media users have echoed fears about the transportation of ballots, advocating for on-site vote counting at the same polling station and by the same staff.

One user commented, “How can we not doubt when we see ballots clearly ascending in boxes with a T-Square and notice ballots being carried away in nature?”

Despite public pressure, the Electoral Commission has confirmed that the counting of votes will not take place immediately on election day.

Questions surrounding the transport of ballots to counting centers have arisen.

One individual queried the rationale behind not transporting the ballot boxes in police trucks, while others called attention to the lack of surveillance cameras in counting centers, advocating for continuous oversight of the electoral process.

“Install cameras and allow the public to monitor the boxes via their phones until the counting begins,” suggested one commentator on lexpress.mu.

Furthermore, there are increasing calls for rigorous monitoring of foreign workers’ roles during the elections.

In response to public concerns, l’Express reached out to the Electoral Commission, which provided insights into the measures being implemented to safeguard the election process.

Electoral Commission’s Measures for Integrity

To prevent any manipulation or falsification during the electoral process, the Electoral Commission highlighted that, following the 2019 general elections, 12 electoral petitions were filed. Of these, seven were withdrawn, while four were dismissed with costs.

The Supreme Court ordered a recount for the constituency of Stanley-Rose-Hill, which did not alter the outcome for the three elected officials from 2019.

Importantly, the court found no instances of rigging in the five petitions it judged.

The entire electoral process, from the distribution of ballots in each voting booth to the final tallying of results, is conducted under the supervision or participation of candidates and their agents.

The commission will ensure that electoral practices adhere to established procedures through the oversight of Electoral Officers and their teams.

Regarding regulations for the upcoming elections, the commission confirmed that only physical forms of identification—such as national identity cards and passports—will be accepted at polling stations.

Copies or scans of identification, mobile IDs, or police memos regarding lost ID cards will not be valid for voting.

Addressing Rumors of Foreign Interference

Despite persistent rumors of foreign interference, including speculation about Israeli operatives involved in espionage, the Electoral Commission refrained from commenting on such allegations.

In addressing concerns about ballot transportation, the commission promised to clarify the security measures in place during their briefers as the election date approaches.

As for monitoring, the commission invited international organizations to send observation missions, as done in previous elections.

In 2019, observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Organization of La Francophonie assessed the electoral process as free, fair, and transparent.

For the 2024 legislative elections, invitations have been extended to several international organizations, with confirmations of participation already received from two.

Concerns Over Gerrymandering

One significant political issue is gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing electoral district boundaries to benefit specific political interests.

This manipulation is raising serious questions regarding the health of democracy in the country.

Recent changes to constituency boundaries could have considerable implications for election results this year.

Constituency No. 1 has lost nearly 10,000 voters due to the reconfiguration, with various regions now included in No. 2.

Additionally, parts of No. 2 have been shifted to No. 3 and No. 4, indicating a strategic alteration to voter demographics that could benefit incumbents.

These developments have sparked concerns among political figures, including Navin Ramgoolam, who has criticized the delayed publication of the redistricting report, suggesting that the timing seems strategically planned just before the elections.

As the election date approaches, the focus on maintaining electoral integrity will remain critical in ensuring that all Mauritians can exercise their democratic rights with confidence.

Source: l’Express