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Republic of Mauritius

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Mauritius

Government President Anerood Jugnauth Vice President Angidi Chettiar Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam Parliament National Assembly Lord Speaker Rajeshwar Puryag Deputy Prime Minister Rashid Beebeejaun Vice Prime Minister Xavier Luc Duval Vice Prime Minister Rama Sithanen Senior Minister Sheila Bappoo Other Ministries The Opposition Deputy Speaker Etienne Sinatambou Leader of the House Paul Berenger MPs Elections Elections in Mauritius Constituencies Political Parties Mauritian Labour Party Mauritian Militant Movement Mauritian Social Democrat Party Militant Socialist Movement Mauritian Solidarity Front Republican Movement Rodrigues Movement Rodrigues People's Organisation Mauritian Party of Xavier-Luc Duval The Greens Mauritian Militant Socialist Movement Dependencies Agalega Islands Union Territory Cargados Carajos Rodrigues Local Government Foreign Relations

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The 2000 Mauritian general elections took place on 11 September 2000 for the National Assembly of Mauritius with the votes counted on 12 September 2000.

The opposition Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) party decisively won the elections in coalition with the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) defeating the governing Mauritian Labour Party (MLP) led coalition.They formed together the MSM/MMM As a result in a pre-election deal Anerood Jugnauth of the Militant Socialist Movement became Prime Minister of Mauritius before handing over to Paul Bérenger of the Mauritian Militant Movement in 2003; Bérenger would become the first non-Hindu Prime Minister of Mauritius.^[1]

Background

The Mauritian Labour Party led by Navin Ramgoolam had governed Mauritius since winning the 1995 election. A new election had to be held by December 2000 and Ramgoolam dissolved parliament to call the election on the 11 August 2000. He expected to be able to win the election in a three way contest with the Mauritian Militant Movement and Militant Socialist Movement parties splitting the opposition vote between them.^[2] However ten days after the election was called the two main opposition parties agreed a deal.^[1][2]

The MSM led by Anerood Jugnauth and MMM led by Paul Bérenger agreed that if they won the election Anerood Jugnauth would become Prime Minister. They agreed that after 3 years he would step down as Prime Minister to become the President of Mauritius with enhanced powers and Bérenger would become Prime Minister, the first non-Hindu to do so.^[2]

Election rules

The election was conducted under the first past the post system with three Members of parliament being elected from each of 20 mainland constituencies. A further two MPs were elected from the island of Rodrigues. Each voter was required to vote for three candidates. Once these 62 MPs have been decided the Supervisory Electoral Commission chose the eight 'best losers' to prevent any ethnic community or political party from being underrepresented. The Commission chose four MPs to balance the ethnic groups (Hindus, Muslims, Chinese and general population) and another four to balance the political parties. The 'best losers' could only come from candidates who came fourth in the 20 mainland constituencies. ^[3][4]

Campaign

Altogther 43 parties put forward 535 candidates but the main contest was always between the two main coalitions. Both alliances campaigned on similar platforms with the economy being the main election issue.^[5] The governing Mauritian Labour Party promised to raise civil servants' wages and reduce the prices of drinks while the main opposition attacked corruption. Both the main government and opposition parties pledged to create 70,000 jobs.^[6]

The campaign was peaceful and election day was quiet with the sale or serving of alcohol banned for two days during the election to prevent trouble.^[7]Observers from the Southern African Development Community praised the election for its efficient and fair conduct and the high turnout.^[8] The opposition Mauritian Militant Movement and Militant Socialist Movement parties won a decisive victory almost wiping out the governing party and the Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam admitted defeat the day after the election.^[9] Gender activists were disappointed with the results which saw only four seats won by women, a decline on the previous election in 1995.^[10]

Election results

Constituency winners

• Source: Elected members of the National Assembly election held on 11 September 2000

References

External links

• Full results of the election

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