Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: Demarcation every 10 years.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 39.
Verified: 2012/02/25
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers c . Compactness of constituencies d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries e . Geographic size of district g . Other
Comments: The "... number of inhabitants of each constituency is as nearly equal as is reasonably practicable to the population quota: Provided that the number of inhabitants of a constituency may be greater or less than the population quota in order to take account of means of communication, geographical features, density of population and the boundaries of administrative areas."
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 39
Verified: 2012/02/25
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Electoral Boundaries Commission delimits and reviews constituencies and their boundaries and proposes changes to the National Assembly. The National Assembly can either accept or decline the suggested changes, but can not alter the Electoral Boundaries Commission's submission (The members appointed are usually the same as those appointed to the Electoral Supervisory Commission).
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 39
Verified: 2012/02/25
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
d . Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments: There shall be a President who shall be the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Mauritius. The President shall be elected by the Assembly on a motion made by the Prime Minister and supported by the votes of a majority of all the members of the Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 28
Verified: 2012/02/25
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The President, acting in his own deliberate judgment, shall appoint as Prime Minister the member of the Assembly who appears to him best able to command the support of the majority of the members of the Assembly, and shall, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Deputy Prime Minister, the Attorney-General and the other Ministers from among the members of the Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 59
Verified: 2012/02/25
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President is the Head of State and is elected by Parliament.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 28 & 29
Verified: 2012/02/25
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Mauritius has a unicameral Parliament consisting of the President and the National Assembly.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 31
Verified: 2012/02/25
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
c . Block Vote
Comments: The National Assembly consist of up to 70 members, 62 of which are elected by universal adult suffrage in a secret ballot from multi-member constituencies by a plurality. Up to eight seats can be allocated by the Electoral Supervisory Commission according to a complex formula to "best losers" to ensure "a fair and adequate representation of each community, members serve five year term.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 31, First Schedule, art. 1 & 5
Verified: 2012/02/25
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments: Key legislation governing elections are:
Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius
Representation of the People Act
National Assembly Elections Regulations
Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act
Local Government Act
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius
Electoral Law: Representation of the People Act
Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations
Electoral Law: Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act &
Electoral Law: Local Government Act
Verified: 2012/02/25
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius
Electoral Law: Representation of the People Act
Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations
Electoral Law: Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act &
Electoral Law: Local Government Act
Verified: 2012/02/25
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Any person who is registered as an elector in a constituency shall be entitled to vote in such manner as may be prescribed at any election for that constituency unless he is prohibited from so voting by any law in force in Mauritius.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 44
Verified: 2012/02/25
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: In the event of electoral disputes, petitions are heard by a court with at least two judges sitting on the bench. Election petitions must be submitted to the courts within 21 days after the date of the return of results.
Source: Electoral Law: The Representation of the People Act, art. 45-48A.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments: The Local Government Elections Act does not specify that the commission that administers local government elections be the same as that that administers national elections, but in practice they are the same.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Zambia, art. 76.
Verified: 2012/12/11
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature f . Donors
Comments: The Electoral Commission of Zambia is funded by parliamentary appropriations and donations.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 13.
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
a . The President c . The legislature
Comments: As soon as is practicable, but not later than ninety days after the end of the financial year,the Commission shall submit to the President a report concerning its activities during the financial year.
The President shall, not later than seven days after the first sitting of the National Assembly next after receipt of the report, cause the report to be laid before the National Assembly.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 16.
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: The members of the Electoral Commission shall be appointed for a term not exceeding seven years. Their terms may be renewed, but renewals require the ratification of the National Assembly.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 5.
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (2006)(http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Commission shall consist of the following full-time members:
(a) a Chairperson and
(b) not more than four other members.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 4.
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 4.
Verified: 2012/02/25
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State
Comments: The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President, subject to ratification by the National Assembly.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Commission Act, art. 4.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
h . Political parties/ candidates k . Other
Comments: Prior to any forthcoming general election, the Electoral Commissioner's office keeps the electorate informed of the administrative arrangements for every registration exercise through the publication of notices in the Government Gazette and in the local newspapers. Officials of the Electoral Commissioner's office also deliver talks on radio and television to explain the process of registration or polling. The political parties too are very active in this process through political canvassing, radio and television broadcast as well as through the spoken word at public meetings.
Source: EISA Official website: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/maueducation.htm (2012)
Verified: 2012/02/25
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments: Prior to any forthcoming general election, the Electoral Commissioner's office keeps the electorate informed of the administrative arrangements for every registration exercise through the publication of notices in the Government Gazette and in the local newspapers. Officials of the Electoral Commissioner's office also deliver talks on radio and television to explain the process of registration or polling. The political parties too are very active in this process through political canvassing, radio and television broadcast as well as through the spoken word at public meetings.
Source: EISA Official website: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/maueducation.htm (2012)
Verified: 2012/02/25
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/25
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: "a person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector if, and shall not be so entitled unless -
he is a Commonwealth citizen of not less than the age of 18 years;"
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 42
Verified: 2012/02/25
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence
Comments: The Constitution states that a person shall be entitled to register as an elector provided that:
"he is a Commonwealth citizen of not less than the age of 18 years; and either he has resided in Mauritius for a period of not less than 2 years immediately before such date as may be prescribed by Parliament or he is domiciled in Mauritius and is resident there on the prescribed date."
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 42
Verified: 2012/02/25
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: "The Electoral Supervisory Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of the Assembly and the conduct of elections of such members and the Commission shall have such powers and other functions relating to such registration and such elections as may be prescribed."
One of the functions of the Electoral Commissioner, as laid out in the Constitution is:
* The registration of voters and conduct of elections as prescribed by the ESC
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 41
EISA Official website: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/mauec.htm (2012)
Verified: 2012/02/25
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Registration compulsory. Continuous registration, updated by annual registration drives.
Source: Electoral Law: The Representation of the People Act, art. 4, 9, 12, 24, 25, 36.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement) f . Other
Comments: Parties and/or coalitions must register for each election with the Electoral Supervisory Commission.
a: Signature of President, Chairman, Secretary or Leader of the party
f: Other- extract from Minutes of proceedings regarding name and symbol of the party
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 7 & 8
Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 289.
Verified: 2012/02/25
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Citizenship d . Residence j . Other
Comments: Must be able to speak and read English well enough to perform the job.
"33. Qualifications for membership Subject to section 34, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the Assembly if, and shall not be qualified unless -
(a) is a Commonwealth citizen of not less than the age of 18 years;
(b) has resided in Mauritius for a period of, or periods amounting in the aggregate to, not less than 2 years before the date of his nomination for election;
(c) has resided in Mauritius for a period of not less than 6 months immediately before that date; and
(d) is able to speak and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to enable him to take an active part in the proceedings of the Assembly. "
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 33
Verified: 2012/02/25
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
c . In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: " Every candidate for election at any general election may at his nomination declare in such manner as may be prescribed that he belongs to a party that is registered as such for the purpose of that general election and, if he does so, he shall be regarded as a member of that party for those purposes, while if he does not do so, he shall not be regarded as a member of any party for those purposes." This only relates to National Assembly elections. The other options are not applicable since there are no presidential elections and there is no chamber 2.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, First Schedule. 2
Verified: 2012/02/25
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments: There is no public funding of political parties in Mauritius.
Source: Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 283.
Verified: 2012/02/25
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: There is no public funding of political parties in Mauritius.
Source: Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 283.
Verified: 2012/02/25
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Parties mobilise their funding on an informal basis from funds accumulated through donations during their term in government or from private sector funding.
Source: Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 283.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: On the day next following the poll the returning officer shall attend at the place of
election or such other place as he may appoint, and at 8 a.m. shall, in the presence of such of the duly appointed agents of the candidates as attend, break any seal affixed to each ballot box in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, open each ballot box and first proceed to count the ballot papers contained in each ballot box and record the number thereof, keeping the ballot papers with their faces upwards and taking all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers on the backs of such papers, and then proceed to count the votes.
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 45 & 47.
Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 294.
Verified: 2012/02/25
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request e . Court order
Comments: A candidate or his election agent may, if present when the counting is completed, require the returning officer to have the votes recounted or again recounted but the returning officer may refuse to do so if in his opinion the request is unreasonable.
In the event of electoral disputes, petitions are heard by a court with at least two judges sitting on the bench. Election petitions must be submitted to the courts within 21 days after the date of the return of results.
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 51
Electoral Law: The Representation of the People Act, art. 45-48A.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
b . Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections c . Based on result of previous election
Comments: Formal political broadcasts accessible through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) are well codified and time allocations are worked out in consultation with stakeholders. Time allocation is based on two criteria, namely the number of seats held in the outgoing parliament and the number of candidates fielded.
Source: Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 284.
Verified: 2012/02/25
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/25
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2012/02/25
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Presently, each party should not spend more than Rs150,00 (US$ 5,400)on each candidate, while independent candidates should respect the ceiling of Rs250,00 (US&8,900).
Source: Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 283.
Verified: 2012/02/25
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: C:47 "(3) A Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter the provisions of section 1 or 57(2) shall not be passed by the Assembly unless – (a) the proposed Bill has before its introduction in the Assembly been submitted, by referendum, to the electorate of Mauritius and has been approved by the votes of not less than three quarters of the electorate;"
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 47(3)
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: C:47 "(3) A Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter the provisions of section 1 or 57(2) shall not be passed by the Assembly unless – (a) the proposed Bill has before its introduction in the Assembly been submitted, by referendum, to the electorate of Mauritius and has been approved by the votes of not less than three quarters of the electorate;"
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 47(3)
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
a . Constitutional changes only
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2012/02/25
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 25.
Verified: 2012/02/25
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
f . Diplomatic staff g . Other
Comments: Public Officer undertaking duties on behalf of the Government of Mauritius.
Family members of such diplomats and public officers are entitled to vote outside the country.
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 38 & 39
Verified: 2012/02/25
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
d . By proxy
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 38
Verified: 2012/02/25
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: The voter must put a cross cross opposite the name of each candidate for whom he wishes to vote.
Source: Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 32 & 33.
Verified: 2012/02/25
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