Mauritius: Election campaigns

Extracted from: Rouikaya Kasenally 2009 "Chapter 8: Mauritius" IN Denis Kadima and Susan Booysen (eds) Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 290.

Election campaigns are officially launched on nomination day, which is 30 days before polling day. Unofficially, no real timeline is allotted to the duration of campaigns and these can vary from a year to one month. During official election campaigns, registered parties that have fielded candidates and candidates themselves (from parties as well as independents) are expected to engage in dialogue with voters so as to inform and enlighten voters on their proposed policies and election manifestos. This is usually done through a series of consultative mechanisms such as public meetings (in terms of the Public Gathering Act, 1991, official request and permission should be sought from the police commissioner), private meetings and party political broadcasts. There is no official code of conduct or practice that politicians or their political agents must abide by. At the operational level, election campaigns officially end 24 hours prior to polling day, following which no public address or rallies can be organised by parties or independent candidates. The police are mandated as the official authority during any election campaign, and any matters or people that disturb public order are dealt with by the police.

Reference

PUBLIC GATHERING ACT, 1991.