Mauritius: Stakeholder relations

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.

The returning officer for each constituency holds at least one meeting with the candidates and/or campaign managers of political parties prior to elections so as to:

• achieve better personal and human acquaintance amongst all concerned;
• develop an enhance communication between the Electoral Commissioner and the political actors;
• keep them informed of the various preparations and procedures for the poll and counting;
• make them aware of their rights and restrictions and the measures implemented for the preservation of law and order and for ensuring that the elections are free and fair; and
• solicit the co-operation of everyone in the smooth running of the elections.

The Electoral Commissioner does not normally hold meetings with organs of civil society. However, if any such meetings are solicited, they are welcome and would be informal.