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Mauritius Mauritius

Disclaimer: This section of Comparative Data is not being updated. Users should be aware that data may be inaccurate. If you find inaccuracies please contact the ACE facilitators.

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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ES011
If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
Nationality or ethnic groups - proportion of total seats (%) 	
Women	- proportion of total seats (%) 	
Religious groups - proportion of total seats (%) 	
Other- proportion of total seats (%) 	11%
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/12/14
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ES013
If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
Nationality or ethnic groups - proportion of total seats (%) 	
Women	- proportion of total seats (%) 	
Religious groups - proportion of total seats (%) 	
Other - proportion of total seats (%) 	
Not applicable 	Na
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/12/14
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Electoral Management

EM001
Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
Name of Institution: Electoral Commission
Website Address: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/eco (2012)

Source
No Source
Verified
2012/12/11
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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
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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
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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
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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
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EM011
What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?
Voter registration and preparation of voter lists 	
Election Management Body administration 	
Staff/Equipment/Supplies 	
Security 	
Official funding of parties and candidates 	
Voter education 	
Materials/systems for and operation of voting stations and ballot counts 	
Challenges, dispute resolution and legal costs 	
Polling operations 	
Vote tabulation 	
Other 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/07/14
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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PC002

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 2)


Question:What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s): g. No information available
Comments: Unicameral parliament
Source:
Verified: 2007/10/08
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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
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PC004

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 2)


Question:What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s): k. No information available
Comments: Unicameral parliament
Source:
Verified: 2007/10/08
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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VC016
If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?
hours: 	Sixteen
days: 	
weeks: 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/06/21
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Media and Elections

ME001
Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Name and Title: 	
Job Title: 	Research associate
Organisation: 	
Contact Address: 	
Telephone:  	
Facsimile: 	
Email: 	[email protected]
Source
No Source
Verified
2012/02/25
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ME009


Question:In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
Answer(s): a. Public radio
b. Private radio
c. Public television
d. Private television
e. Print media
Comments:
Source: http://freedomhouse.org/pfs2004/pfs2004.pdf
Verified: 2005/05/09
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ME019
What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
  	mauritius telecommunications act 1998
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/06/21
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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
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ME038
What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Amount (Euros) 	
The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising 	x
Source
The Representation of the People Act, 1968, 51 TSHIYOKO, D 2005, EISA Election Observer Mission Report: Mauritius National Assembly Elections 3 July 2005, 23.
Verified
2010/06/21
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ME056
What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
....... 	
There are no laws in this regard 	x
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/06/21
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ME057
What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
......... 	
The law does not specify any limits 	x
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/06/21
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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
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ME060
What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
......... 	no legal requrement
Source
No Source
Verified
2010/06/21
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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
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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
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Direct Democracy

DD001
Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Name and Title: 	Dr. Ludeki Chweya
Job Title: 	Research associate
Organisation: 	African center For Economic Growth Aceg 
Contact Address. 	
Telephone: 	
Facsimile: 	
Email: 	[email protected]
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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DD104


Question:What form of checks are undertaken to verify signatures for a recall?
Answer: a. All signatures checked
Comments:
Source: determination of procedure for expansion by electorate of loss of mandate of deputies National Electoral Board regulations no. 2/1999
Verified: 2005/04/05
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DD013
When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Mandatory referendum 	
Optional referendum 	
Citizens' initiative 	
Agenda initiative 	
Recall 	
Not applicable 	N/A
Source
Questionnaire, Electoral Management Body
Verified
2009/10/23
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DD014
When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Mandatory referendum 	
Optional referendum 	
Citizens' initiative 	
Agenda initiative 	
Recall 	
Not applicable 	Not Applicable
Source
Questionnaire, Electoral Management Body
Verified
2009/10/23
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DD017


Question:Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer: c. No
Comments:
Source: Questionnaire, Electoral Management Body
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD018


Question:Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer: c. No
Comments: Questionnaire, Electoral Management Body
Source:
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD022


Question:Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer: d. Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD023


Question:Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer: d. Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD027


Question:What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
Answer(s): a. Constitutional amendments
Comments:
Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 47(3) 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;"
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD028


Question:What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
Answer(s): l. Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD038
What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Turnout quorum 	
Approval quorum 	
No quorum required 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
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DD039
What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Turnout quorum 	
Approval quorum 	
No quorom required 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
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DD043


Question:When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
Answer: a. Always
Comments:
Source: The Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius, art. 47(3) 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;"
Verified: 2007/06/01
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DD072
How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Fixed number 	
Proportion of the electorate 	
Proportion of the vote at the most recent election 	
Other (specify) 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD073
How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Fixed number 	
Proportion of the electorate 	
Proportion of the vote at the most recent election 	
Other (specify) 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD074
How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Fixed number 	
Proportion of the electorate 	
Proportion of the vote at the most recent election 	
Other (specify) 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD075
How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Fixed number 	
Proportion of the electorate 	
Proportion of the vote at the most recent election 	
Other (specify) 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
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DD080


Question:What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign the proposal for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Answer(s): e. Not applicable
Comments:
Source: determination of procedure for expansion by electorate of loss of mandate of deputies National Electoral Board regulations no. 2/1999
Verified: 2005/04/05
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DD084
How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Fixed number 	
Proportion of the electorate 	
Proportion of the vote at the most recent election 	
Other (specify) 	
Not applicable 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/10/23
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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VO010
Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Yes, the maximum capacity is: 	400 to 500 Electors per Voting Room in each Polling Station
No 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/07/05
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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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VO012
How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
The smallest polling station: 	four to each room
The largest polling station: 	four to each room
Average per polling station: 	
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/07/05
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