12,870 Mauritians Set to Vote by Proxy

Today, November 10, a total of 12,870 Mauritian citizens will cast their votes by proxy, as confirmed by the Electoral Commissioner, Irfan Abdool Rahman. This figure represents the number of accepted applications for proxy voting, which were processed based on the eligibility of the voters.

Irfan Abdool Rahman also reported that 208 proxy voter applications were denied.

Under Mauritian law, specifically the National Assembly Elections Regulations of 2014, proxy voting is regulated to ensure that citizens unable to cast their votes in person can still participate in the electoral process.

The legislation outlined specific criteria for eligibility, allowing certain categories of individuals to vote by proxy.

These including law enforcement representatives and election officials deployed on duty, as well as members of the armed forces and police who may be stationed far from their usual polling locations.

Candidates running for election are also permitted to vote by proxy, as their responsibilities on polling day may prevent them from being present at the ballot box.

Additionally, this provision is extended to public servants stationed abroad on official missions, as well as their spouses, provided they reside together during this period.

Election officials who are assigned to polling stations from 6 AM today and are not voting by proxy will have three hours to leave their posts to vote in their respective constituencies.

To utilize the proxy voting option, the 12,870 eligible voters underwent a stringent application process.

They submitted formal requests to the Electoral Commissioner, including necessary documentation to justify their inability to vote in person.

Voters also designated a proxy, who must be a registered voter within the same electoral district.

Once an application was approved, the appointed proxy received a certificate of authorization, which must be presented at the polling station before entering the voting booth.

Source: Le Mauricien