General Elections 2024: The Decision Is Yours!

The campaigning is over, and now it’s up to the voters as Mauritius a heading to the polls on Sunday, November 10. Polling stations opening from 7 AM to 6 PM, giving citizens the chance to shape their future. Below covers the election day activities across all constituencies. However, results will not be available until November 11.

In Vacoas, pamphlets from the Alliance Lepep party have been spotted scattered around the vicinity of the Vacoas SSS polling center.

As of 3 PM, voter turnout at the Reverend Espitalier Noel Government School reached 63.02%, with 2,316 out of 3,675 registered voters participating.

One voter, Pamela Bontemps, expressed her frustration as she was unable to cast her vote at polling station No. 16. Bontemps, who has been living with her mother in Henrietta, noted that she also missed the chance to vote in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

The Henrietta Government School, accommodating 5,194 voters, reported that over 60% of registered voters had fulfilled their civic duty by 3 PM.

The Senior Presiding Officer at this center indicated that around 15 individuals, including Bontemps, could not find their names on the voter lists.

This could be attributed to various reasons such as name changes or relocation.

By 2 PM, the voter participation rate stood at 58.16%.

In an incident involving the MSM party, an agent was observed taking a photograph of their ballot at the SAJ School.

The Senior Presiding Officer reported this matter to the police.

In the Pamplemousses-Triolet constituency, 54.36% of the 59,580 registered voters had participated by 2 PM, translating to 32,389 individuals.

Voter turnout in the Curepipe-Midlands constituency reached 54.7% by 2 PM, with 25,926 ballots cast out of 47,428 registered voters.

Meanwhile, participation in the Pamplemousses-Triolet area was nearly 50% at noon due to challenges posed by long ballots, and by 2 PM, 52% of voters had participated.

Voting was also taking place under tents at La Marie community center, where, as of 2 PM, 64.2% of registered voters (1,115 out of 1,738) had cast their votes.

At Palma Government School, voter turnout reached 56.76% with 2,283 of 4,022 registered voters participating by the same time.

As of 1 PM, voter turnout in the Piton-Rivière du Rempart constituency was reported at 50.37%, with 23,430 of 45,615 registered voters having completed their civic duty.

However, an alarming incident was reported at Surtee Sunnee Government School, where an FSM/MSM agent allegedly drove into a restricted area.

When challenged by a police officer, the agent brandished a sword and fled the scene.

In Quartier-Militaire – Moka, turnout was nearly 50% at 1 PM, with 24,289 voters having marked their ballots from a total of 49,313 registered voters.

Voter Turnout Update at Midday

As of 1 PM on election day, voter turnout across the constituencies approached 50%, with a reported participation rate of 49.9%.

Specifically, 30,090 voters had cast their ballots out of a total of 60,301 registered voters. By noon, 25,141 individuals had already voted.

In the Plaine-Verte area, polling centers reported a calm atmosphere.

The turnout in this region was at 40.21%, with 13,608 voters participating by noon from a total of 33,839 registered voters.

Voters are reminded to queue efficiently, as many polling stations are experiencing high foot traffic.

Despite multiple voting booths being available, only one individual is allowed per voting room.

It’s crucial for voters to remember that polling stations close at 6 PM; however, anyone who is inside the voting center by that time is still permitted to cast their vote.

Therefore, it’s advisable not to delay your visit to avoid being turned away.

Overall turnout statistics were varied across different areas:

• In the Grand-Baie-Poudre-d’Or constituency, 30.6% of registered voters, or 18,092 out of 59,103, had voted by 11 AM. The S.K. Kanhye Government School in Goodlands noted the highest participation at 67.20%.
• By noon, 42.09% of voters in the Piton-Rivière du Rempart constituency had participated, with 19,564 of 46,516 registered voters casting their ballots.
• In the Mahébourg-Plaine-Magnien constituency, voter turnout was 20.28% at 10 AM, with 8,464 of 41,732 registered voters participating.

The Electoral Supervisory Commission is actively monitoring the process.

Me Christine Sauzier, the Chair of the Commission, visited the Daneswock Sewraz Government School in Triolet to ensure everything was running smoothly.

Notably, the Mohabeer Foogooa Government School has become one of the most significant polling centers in its constituency, with lines of voters consistently lengthening throughout the morning.

At the government school in Plaine-des-Roches, voters have been observed queuing to fulfill their civic duty.

Officers in charge emphasized that voters must present identification and reminded them not to use their phones while inside.

Meanwhile, political figures were seen ensuring that no one engaged in canvassing near the polling locations.

Prominent political figures, including Navin Ramgoolam and Paul Bérenger, were noted for arriving together at the Maurice Curé College to fulfill their voting responsibilities.

Outside the polling places, community members expressed a strong desire for change, including 80-year-old Parwatee Seewoochurn, who highlighted the importance of voting for the future of the youth.

With four decades of experience in the vegetable trade, she called for reforms to pave the way for a better future for the younger generation.

Voter Engagement and Candidates Active on Election Day

At 10 AM, voter turnout at the Phoenix SSS polling station reached 21.27%, with 2,823 registered voters.

In other areas, notable figures have been spotted fulfilling their voting responsibilities.

Sir Hamid Moollan was seen conversing with Jyoti Jeetun, a candidate from the Alliance du Changement.

At the Notre Dame du Grand Pouvoir School in Vieux-Grand-Port, voters were actively participating, while Darren Activiste was present at Hurry Prasad Ramnarain Government School as more voters arrived throughout the morning.

The election environment in Lallmatie reflected a spirit of respect and collaboration, as supporters of both the Alliance du Changement and the MSM party engage in lively chants of “Bour Li Dehor.”

The atmosphere remained harmonious despite differing political views.

Eighty-four-year-old Anne-Marie Denise from Plaisance voted at the André Bazerque School, emphasizing the importance of voting as a means of contributing to society and shaping the future.

In contrast, 104-year-old Bibi Saphoorah Sahodeea from Bel-Air also exercised her right to vote, highlighting the engagement of senior citizens in the electoral process.

In the Grand-Baie-Poudre-d’Or constituency, S.K. Kanhye school reported 234 voters by 8 AM, increasing to 482 by 9 AM from a total of 4,302 registered voters.

By mid-morning, the polling station in Pointe-aux-Sables was bustling with activity, while the presence of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth at the RCA School in St-Pierre was noted around 9:30 AM, alongside his family.

Amidst various polling activities, concerns arose regarding incidents reported at polling stations overnight.

Electoral Commissioner Irfan Rahman urged the public not to spread rumors that could jeopardize the electoral process. Voters at the Sainte-Thérèse School and St-Esprit RCA Primary School began arriving steadily to fulfill their civic duties.

Election day saw a notable presence of candidates at polling stations, including Dorine Chukowry and Fabrice David at the Renganaden Seeneevassen School, and Dr. Vasantrao Gujadhur seen at the Port-Louis North SSS polling center.

In the Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest – Port-Louis-Ouest constituency, Miven Tirvengadum and Chackhoor Maheshwarsingh, candidates from the Alliance Lepep, expressed confidence in their campaign efforts as they respectfully acknowledged their opponents while awaiting their chance to vote.

At Ramnarain Roy Government School in Bel-Air, over 5,000 voters are anticipated to cast their ballots.

The scene reflecting a commitment to democratically fulfilling civic duties, with SADC observers present to ensure fair and transparent operations in the Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest – Port-Louis-Ouest constituency.

Overall, the election day remained a testament to the civic engagement of Mauritians, with voters determined to make their voices heard and numerous candidates actively participating in the electoral process.

Source: l’Express