interim statement
EISA Election Observer Mission to the 2005 Mauritius National Assembly Election (continued)
3.4 Access to Media
The Constitution of Mauritius guarantees freedom of the press. A vibrant independent media has emerged as a consequence of this provision. However, various actors, including the opposition, alleged that the ruling coalition has been manipulating or using the state-owned media to its advantage. It was also noted that the independent media is regarded as partisan.
The EISA Mission did not have an opportunity to monitor the coverage of the elections by the media. The Mission, however, recognises the existence of regulations for the allocation of airtime to contesting parties and candidates during the electoral campaign. Nonetheless the system is not designed in such a way that it ensures equitable access.
The Mission recommends that measures be taken to ensure that all contesting parties and candidates have equitable access to the public media and fair coverage during elections.
3.5 Funding of Political Parties
The law in Mauritius does not provide for the public funding of political parties. The regulation only lays down a ceiling for parties' and candidates' expenditures for electoral purposes and requires the disclosure of private contributions. Most of our interlocutors pointed out that parties and candidates generally spend more than the maximum permitted, and do not declare the actual expenses for the campaign.
The EISA Mission proposes that appropriate steps be taken to strengthen the regulation on the funding of political parties with effective enforcement mechanisms.
3.6 Identification of Voters
The Mission is of the opinion that the current system of establishing the identity of voters at the voting rooms could be manipulated. The Mission therefore recommends that legislation be reviewed to require voters to produce documentation that establishes their identity more convincingly.
3.7 Use of Public Resources
The use of incumbency is an area of serious concern which has been raised by various stakeholders. The Mission recommends that provisions be put in place for the regulation of the use of public resources as an electioneering instrument.
3.8 Political Violence
Whilst the Mission has commended the generally peaceful environment in which the elections were held, it should be noted that acts of election-related violence occurred during the campaign. As sporadic as they may appear, it is critical that Mauritius does not underplay their significance, but instead send a strong message by dealing with these incidents as strictly as possible in order to discourage this behaviour.
3.9 Domestic Observers
The Mission noted the absence of domestic observers in Mauritius. EISA believes that steps should be taken to allow for domestic organisations to be effectively involved in the monitoring of the electoral process, as this is the case in all other SADC countries. The involvement of national civil society organisations enhances the quality of democracy by increasing local ownership of and participation in the process.
4 Conclusion
Mauritius is a well established democracy. The peaceful political alternation which characterises the Mauritian government remains a rare phenomenon in the SADC region. The Mission commends the electoral authorities for their impartiality, transparency, efficiency and professionalism. The EISA Mission's recommendations are therefore aimed at advocating for a further enhancement of a model that already works.
Basing itself on the guidelines enshrined in the ECF/EISA PEMMO, the EISA Election Observer Mission concludes that the 2005 National Assembly Election in Mauritius was free and fair.
On behalf of the EISA Observer Mission to the 2005 National Assembly Elections in Mauritius
Mr. Denis Kadima
EISA Mission Leader