interim statement
EISA Election Observer Mission to the 2005 Mauritius National Assembly Election (continued)

3.1 Electoral System and Representation of Women

It is commonly recognised that the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system has an adverse impact on the representation of women and other disadvantaged groups. Under the Mauritian version of the Block Vote system, this impact is even further exacerbated.

The SADC Declaration on Gender and Development of 1997, of which Mauritius is a signatory, provides for a minimum of 30% representation of women in decision-making positions by 2005. The Mission was particularly concerned by the low number of women candidates, which clearly indicated that Mauritius would be unable to meet the prescribed target.

The Mission further noted that most political parties did not establish clear strategies aimed at enhancing the representation of women.

The Mission is pleased to note that the election results have provided for a much stronger representation of women than foreseen. However, the Mission would like to stress that this is not a result of a deliberate commitment and strategy to balance gender representation and may therefore not be sustainable in future elections.

Therefore, the EISA Mission hopes that a new electoral system will be introduced which will guarantee a more balanced gender representation, in line with the SADC Declaration. Furthermore, political parties are encouraged to introduce specific measures to improve the representation of women.

This new electoral system should also provide for a more accurate representation of political parties in accordance with the share of votes obtained nationally.

3.2 Delimitation of Constituencies

The Mission noted with concern the fact that the size of constituencies in terms of the number of registered voters widely differs. While the smallest constituency, namely Constituency 3: Port-Louis Maritime/Port-Louis Est, has an electorate of 22 145 voters, Constituency 14: 'Savanne/Rivière Noire' has the highest number of registered voters, 53 002. On the other hand, although Rodrigues is bigger than some constituencies in the mainland, it is entitled to elect only two representatives to the National Assembly.

As stated in the PEMMO, EISA recommends that constituencies be delimited in such a way that they contain approximately the same number of eligible voters.

3.3 Voter Registration

The EISA Mission learnt with concern that the 2005 election was conducted on the basis of the 2004 voter's register, which effectively disenfranchised an estimated 5000 to 7000 prospective voters.

Based on the PEMMO, the Mission recommends that the voter registration process be regulated in a flexible way that promotes a broad participation of the electorate and does not hinder the participation of qualified voters. In addition, eligible voters must be provided with a continuous and accessible voter registration facility.