Pravind Jugnauth accepts ‘huge defeat’

The Prime Minister of Mauritius has accepted that his coalition, L’Alliance Lepep, has suffered a major defeat following Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

“The population has decided to choose another party,” Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, 62, told reporters on Monday.

Jugnauth was seeking a second five-year term, but his main rival, Navin Ramgoolam, 77, leader of the Alliance of Change coalition, looks set to become the next leader of the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Mauritius is known as one of the most stable democracies in Africa, but the election was marred by the wiretapping scandal, with leaked public figures posted online.

In response, the government issued a ban on social media until after the election, although this led to debate and the decision was reversed within 24 hours.

The final results are yet to be released but Ramgoolam’s team looks set to win.

Ramgoolam, a former doctor, told reporters that his party was “looking for a big win”, but did not elaborate as he said all votes must be counted first.

“We must respect this choice… and we wish the country and the people luck,” said Jugnauth.

The situation in the capital city of Port Louis reflects this changing situation, as people gather to await results that show the country’s new direction.

People were dancing and singing in the streets with vuvuzelas, national flags in their hands and fire crackers.

Ibrahim, who voted for the Alliance for Change, told the BBC that “growing public discontent” was the main reason the ruling party lost.

The cost of living problem has been a major concern for many Mauritians, along with growing concerns about governance and corruption.

On the campaign trail both parties promised to improve the lives of the people on the islands.

Ramgoolam – whose father was a freedom fighter and two-time prime minister – said he would increase pensions, introduce free transport and internet and reduce fuel costs.

Former Mauritian foreign minister and member of the opposition coalition, Arvin Boolell, told the BBC’s Newsday program that the election was “a victory for the people”.

Voter turnout was around 80%, according to the election commission.

Citizens went to the polls to elect members of parliament for sixty-two seats for the next five years.

Additionally, up to eight “highly disadvantaged” seats have been allocated to ensure fair ethnic representation in parliament.

The vote comes after a historical agreement when the UK relinquished sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.