2019 Mauritian general election

At the 2014 snap election, the opposition Alliance Lepep, which was made up of the MSM, Parti Mauricien Sociale Démocrate (PMSD) and Muvman Liberater (ML),{{cite web |title=Parties |url=https://www.electionsmauritius.com/2014/parties/ |website=Elections Mauritius |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217022353/https://www.electionsmauritius.com/2014/parties/ |archive-date=17 February 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Wan |first1=James |title=Changing fortunes of Mauritius’ ousted leaders |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207174817/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/3/17/changing-fortunes-of-mauritius-ousted-leaders |archive-date=7 December 2024 |location=Port Louis |url-status=live}} won an upset victory,{{cite news |title=Mauritius opposition in surprise election win |url=https://www.dw.com/en/mauritius-opposition-wins-surprise-landslide-victory/a-18125376 |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=DW News |date=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223195552/https://www.dw.com/en/mauritius-opposition-wins-surprise-landslide-victory/a-18125376 |archive-date=23 December 2024 |url-status=live}} securing 51 seats. The governing alliance, which comprised Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam's Labour Party and former Prime Minister Paul Bérenger's Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), won only 16 seats,{{cite web |title=Last Elections |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2209_E.htm |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110135716/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2209_E.htm |archive-date=10 November 2022 |url-status=live}} despite opinion polls predicting the coalition would secure re-election. Ramgoolam lost his seat of Pamplemousses-Triolet.{{cite news |last1=Mohit-Soroar |first1=Adila |title=Navin Ramgoolam : a-t-il la légitimité de rester aux commandes du PTr ? |url=https://defimedia.info/navin-ramgoolam-t-il-la-legitimite-de-rester-aux-commandes-du-ptr |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=10 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521082800/https://defimedia.info/navin-ramgoolam-t-il-la-legitimite-de-rester-aux-commandes-du-ptr |archive-date=21 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} The Rodrigues People's Organisation won two seats. The Alliance Lepep leader, Anerood Jugnauth, became prime minister for a third time, having previously served from 1982 to 1995 and from 2000 to 2003. Jugnauth also held the largely ceremonial office of president from 2005 until 2012, when he resigned due to his disapproval of the Ramgoolam government's style of governance.{{cite news |title=Mauritius president announces resignation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/3/30/mauritius-president-announces-resignation |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |date=30 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219095337/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/3/30/mauritius-president-announces-resignation |archive-date=19 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

A key issue during the 2014 election was Ramgoolam's proposed amendments to delegate more powers to the presidency and introduce direct elections for the post, which Alliance Lepep opposed. The Labour Party-led government aimed to implement the reforms if it were to win re-election, after which Ramgoolam would run for the presidency. Jugnauth's alliance also campaigned on eliminating corruption. Ramgoolam and his government had been the subject of corruption scandals; he was arrested in February 2015 over charges of conspiracy and money laundering. Ramgoolam denied the allegations, and the charges were dropped in 2016 due to insufficient evidence.{{cite news |title=Preliminary charges dropped against Navin Ramgoolam |url=https://defimedia.info/preliminary-charges-dropped-against-navin-ramgoolam |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=15 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203184621/https://defimedia.info/preliminary-charges-dropped-against-navin-ramgoolam |archive-date=3 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

In January 2017, Anerood Jugnauth resigned as prime minister, stating that he had accomplished all he had set out to achieve in government and wished to hand power to younger generations. Jugnauth denied allegations by Cabinet Minister Roshi Bhadain that he was forced to step down by an unnamed faction.{{cite news |last1=Gopal |first1=Sunil |title=Mentoring and Leadership |url=https://defimedia.info/mentoring-and-leadership |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=27 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205232506/http://www.defimedia.info/mentoring-and-leadership |archive-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live}} Jugnauth was succeeded by his son, Finance Minister and MSM Leader Pravind Jugnauth,{{cite news |last1=Arouff |first1=Jean Paul |title=Mauritius prime minister resigns in favour of his son |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/mauritius-prime-minister-resigns-in-favour-of-his-son-idUSKBN1550S2/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Reuters |date=22 January 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250521085934/https://www.reuters.com/article/world/mauritius-prime-minister-resigns-in-favour-of-his-son-idUSKBN1550S2/ |archive-date=21 May 2025 |location=Port Louis |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Iqbal Ahmed |title=Politics: the rise of Pravind Jugnauth |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/413666/politics-rise-pravind-jugnauth |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=L'Express |date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521090803/https://lexpress.mu/s/article/413666/politics-rise-pravind-jugnauth |archive-date=21 May 2025 |url-status=live}} although he remained in cabinet. Despite attempts from the PMSD to have Deputy Prime Minister Xavier-Luc Duval ascend to the premiership, the elder Jugnauth held the opinion that the PMSD would only be entitled to hold the office of prime minister if it were the largest party in parliament.{{cite news |title=Pravind Jugnauth Premier ministre ? «Pena lot choix», affirme sir Anerood Jugnauth |url=https://defimedia.info/pravind-jugnauth-premier-ministre-pena-lot-choix-affirme-sir-anerood-jugnauth |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=12 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222162929/https://defimedia.info/pravind-jugnauth-premier-ministre-pena-lot-choix-affirme-sir-anerood-jugnauth |archive-date=22 February 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} The PMSD withdrew from the government in December 2016, after Anerood Jugnauth's announcement, citing policy disagreements, depriving Alliance Lepep of its three-quarter majority needed to pass constitutional amendments. Duval subsequently became leader of the opposition, succeeding MMM Leader Paul Bérenger.{{cite news |last1=Gopal |first1=Sunil |title=From opposing to proposing |url=https://defimedia.info/opposing-proposing |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=23 December 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250521091612/https://defimedia.info/opposing-proposing |archive-date=21 May 2025 |url-status=live}} Pravind Jugnauth's ascendance to the premiership was met with allegations of nepotism by the opposition.{{cite news |title=Mauritians vote in first election since PM succeeded father |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/7/mauritians-vote-in-first-election-since-pm-succeeded-father |access-date=21 May 2025|work=Al Jazeera |date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430123325/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/7/mauritians-vote-in-first-election-since-pm-succeeded-father |archive-date=30 April 2023|url-status=live}}

File:Mauritius constituency map 2024.svg

The National Assembly has 62 directly elected members; 60 represent 20 three-seat constituencies, and two are elected from a constituency on the island of Rodrigues. The elections are held using the plurality block vote system with panachage, whereby voters have as many votes as seats available.{{cite web |title=Electoral System |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2209_B.htm |publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241106013027/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2209_B.htm |archive-date=6 November 2024 |url-status=live}} In what is commonly known as the Best Loser System, should a community fail to win parliamentary representation, the Electoral Supervisory Commission can appoint up to eight unsuccessful candidates from these communities with the most votes. The Electoral Commission divides the electorate into four communities: Hindus, Muslims, Sino-Mauritians and the general population; the latter comprises voters who do not belong to the first three.{{cite journal |last1=Fessha |first1=Yonatan |last2=Ho Tu Ham |first2=Nora |title=Is it time to let go? The Best Loser System in Mauritius |journal=Afrika Focus |date=2015 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=66–67,70|doi=10.21825/af.v28i1.4739 |url=https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/52483/Fessha_Is_2015.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |access-date=21 May 2025}} Unless the president dissolves the National Assembly early, members serve a five-year term.{{cite constitution|article=57|section=2|polity=Mauritius|date=1968|url=

https://humanrights.govmu.org/Documents/Legislation/Constitution%20of%20Mauritius.pdf|access-date=6 November 2024|website=Human Rights Division – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade}} A presidential decree mandated that all candidates declare their community affiliation, despite a law passed in 2014 making this requirement optional. The MMM denounced the decree as a step backwards for democracy, while Ashok Subron of Rezistans ek Alternativ filed a lawsuit to overturn it. The PMSD stated that the decree was warranted as the 2014 law was not a constitutional amendment.{{cite news |last1=Fakun |first1=Narfissah |last2=Mohit-Saroar |first2=Adila |title=Les candidats devront décliner leur appartenance ethnique |url=https://defimedia.info/les-candidats-devront-decliner-leur-appartenance-ethnique |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521093431/https://defimedia.info/les-candidats-devront-decliner-leur-appartenance-ethnique |archive-date=21 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

Eligible candidates and voters are required to be at least 18 years old, citizens of the Commonwealth and have resided in Mauritius for at least two years before the nomination date. A total of 941,719 individuals were registered to vote in this election.{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://data.ipu.org/parliament/MU/MU-LC01/election/MU-LC01-E20191107/ |website=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212080906/https://data.ipu.org/parliament/MU/MU-LC01/election/MU-LC01-E20191107/ |archive-date=12 February 2025 |url-status=live}} Public officials stationed in Mauritius but enrolled in constituencies in Rodrigues or Agaléga and vice versa are eligible to apply for proxy voting.{{cite web |title=National Assembly Elections 2024 |url=https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?juwpfisadmin=false&action=wpfd&task=file.download&wpfd_category_id=218&wpfd_file_id=4942&token=53cd546a4c2a63bbaeb726e7ed01434a&preview=1 |website=Office of the Electoral Commissioner |access-date=21 May 2025|location=Port Louis |date=15 October 2024}} Candidates have to be proficient enough in English to participate in parliamentary procedures. They also require the nomination from at least six electors in their constituency and a deposit to be paid, which is refunded if they obtain at least 10% of the vote. Individuals ineligible to be contestants include those who have committed electoral offences, have served a prison sentence exceeding 12 months, have undisclosed government contracts or have undisclosed bankruptcy.

The candidate nomination deadline was on 22 October.{{cite news |title=Notice of Election of Sixty Two Members of the National Assembly |url=https://archive.gazettes.africa/archive/mu/2019/mu-government-gazette-dated-2019-10-10-no-107.pdf |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=The Mauritius Government Gazette |date=10 October 2019 |location=Port Louis |page=2}} A total of 71 parties were registered to contest the election.{{cite web |title=National Assembly Elections 2019 |url=https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?juwpfisadmin=false&action=wpfd&task=file.download&wpfd_category_id=116&wpfd_file_id=1881&token=8c7f5c328298f6919ea6bf975a54f5c1&preview=1 |website=Office of the Electoral Commissioner |access-date=21 May 2025 |date=12 December 2019}} Shortly before registering on 9 October, Prime Minister Jugnauth's Alliance Lepep was renamed Alliance Morisien.{{cite news |title=L’Alliance Lepep devient l’Alliance Morisien |url= https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/lalliance-lepep-devient-lalliance-morisien/305337/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Mauricien |date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521095645/https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/lalliance-lepep-devient-lalliance-morisien/305337/ |archive-date=21 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} The bloc comprised Jugnauth's Militant Socialist Movement, Muvman Liberater, Plateforme Militante, and Mouvement Alan Ganoo.{{cite news |title=Elections générales: voici la liste officielle des candidats de l’Alliance Morisien |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/363142/elections-generales-voici-liste-officielle-candidats-lalliance-morisien |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=L'Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807211254/https://www.lexpress.mu/article/363142/elections-generales-voici-liste-officielle-candidats-lalliance-morisien |archive-date=7 August 2020 |language=fr |url-status=live}} The other major coalition was Alliance Nationale, led by former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, which comprised the Labour Party, Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate and Mouvement Jean Claude Barbier.{{cite news |title=Investitures : également 12 candidates sur la liste de L’Alliance Nationale |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/investitures-egalement-12-candidates-sur-la-liste-de-lalliance-nationale/307319/ |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Mauricien |date=21 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203160733/https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/investitures-egalement-12-candidates-sur-la-liste-de-lalliance-nationale/307319/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |language=fr |url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} The Mauritian Militant Movement, led by former Prime Minister Paul Bérenger, declined to enter an alliance this election.{{cite news |last1=Boulle |first1=Jérôme |title=Maurice : des élections législatives déterminantes |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/maurice-des-elections-legislatives-determinantes-07-11-2019-2345922_3826.php |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Le Point |date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409193044/https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/maurice-des-elections-legislatives-determinantes-07-11-2019-2345922_3826.php |archive-date=9 April 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} A total of 817 candidates contested the election,{{cite news |title=Nomination Day: 817 candidates registered for General Elections 2019 |url=https://www.webmauritius.com/article/gov_mu_news/Nomination+Day%3A+817+candidates+registered+for+General+Elections+2019/1391003 |access-date=21 May 2025 |work=Government of Mauritius |date=23 October 2019|via=webMauritius}} 249 of whom were independents. Alliance Mauricien, Alliance Nationale and the MMM each fielded 60 candidates.{{cite web |title=Parties |url=https://www.electionsmauritius.com/2019/parties/ |website=Elections Mauritius |access-date=21 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220045732/https://www.electionsmauritius.com/2019/parties/ |archive-date=20 December 2023 |url-status=live}}

The campaign period was short, lasting two weeks.{{cite news |last1=Kasenally |first1=Roukaya |title=How Pravind Jugnauth clinched the win in Mauritius’ elections |url=https://theconversation.com/how-pravind-jugnauth-clinched-the-win-in-mauritius-elections-127193 |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=The Conversation |date=25 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127232230/https://theconversation.com/how-pravind-jugnauth-clinched-the-win-in-mauritius-elections-127193 |archive-date=27 November 2019 |url-status=live}} The three major blocs, Alliance Morisien, Alliance Nationale, and the MMM, each released a manifesto promising similar economic populist initiatives focusing on pension schemes and youth unemployment and tackling drug trafficking and corruption.{{cite news |title=Mauritius politics: General election arrives amid fragmented political field |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2312687280?pq-origsite=primo&_oafollow=false&sourcetype=Wire%20Feeds |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Economist Intelligence Unit |date=7 November 2019|url-access=subscription|via=ProQuest}} Prime Minister Jugnauth campaigned on his government's achievements since ascending to the premiership in 2017, which included the introduction of a minimum wage, tuition-free education at public universities, Labour law reform, an increase in pensions and the commencement of the first phase of the Light Railway Project, spanning from Port Louis to Rose Hill.{{cite news |title=Mauritius Metro Express inaugurated |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/projects-and-planning/mauritius-metro-express-inaugurated/54844.article |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Railway Gazette International |date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210165536/https://www.railwaygazette.com/projects-and-planning/mauritius-metro-express-inaugurated/54844.article |archive-date=10 December 2024 |url-status=live|via=Metro Report International}}

The opposition further criticised Jugnauth's rise to the premiership as nepotistic. Ramgoolam stated that the election was a choice between a "family clan" and an "alliance for a free society." The former prime minister advocated for a reform of Mauritius' system of government and a review of the Best Loser System.{{cite news |title=Navin Ramgoolam (leader de l’Alliance Nationale) : «Le choix est entre un clan familial et une alliance pour une société libre» |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/navin-ramgoolam-leader-de-lalliance-nationale-le-choix-est-entre-un-clan-familial-et-une-alliance-pour-une-societe-libre/309681/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Le Mauricien |date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525083855/https://www.lemauricien.com/week-end/navin-ramgoolam-leader-de-lalliance-nationale-le-choix-est-entre-un-clan-familial-et-une-alliance-pour-une-societe-libre/309681/ |archive-date=25 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} Bérenger pledged to introduce a two-five-year term limit for the premiership if the MMM were to secure a victory.{{cite news |last1=Khodabux |first1=Rizwaan |last2=Dinally |first2=Eshan |title=Paul Bérenger, leader du MMM : «Les politiciens ne sont pas tous des pourris» |url=https://defimedia.info/paul-berenger-leader-du-mmm-les-politiciens-ne-sont-pas-tous-des-pourris |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=2 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250525085250/https://defimedia.info/paul-berenger-leader-du-mmm-les-politiciens-ne-sont-pas-tous-des-pourris |archive-date=25 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} Jugnauth ruled out forming a coalition with the MMM in the event of a hung parliament resulting after the election and said Bérenger was unreliable.{{cite news |title=Pravind Jugnauth : «Je ne peux pas travailler avec Paul Bérenger» |url=https://defimedia.info/pravind-jugnauth-je-ne-peux-pas-travailler-avec-paul-berenger |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250525085850/https://defimedia.info/pravind-jugnauth-je-ne-peux-pas-travailler-avec-paul-berenger |archive-date=25 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

Deepfake content was circulated during the campaign, targeting Alliance Nationale. Rumours spread that Alliance Morisien hired an Israeli team to produce the deepfake content and suppress freedom of expression on social media. Ken Arian, a senior advisor to Jugnauth, denied the allegations and dismissed claims that such an Israeli team was present in Mauritius, stating that Alliance Morisien did not have the time to pull off such an operation.{{cite news |last1=Grimaud |first1=Carole |title=Le deepfake menace la campagne électorale |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/363178/deepfake-menace-campagne-electorale |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=L'Express |date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250525090455/https://lexpress.mu/s/article/363178/deepfake-menace-campagne-electorale |archive-date=25 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

A video titled Navingate was released shortly before the election. The clip claimed Ramgoolam had spent large sums of money on luxury goods during his previous tenure as prime minister and that he transferred funds out of Labour Party accounts to replenish his personal bank account. L'Express reported that the video was illegal as it displayed bank documents, in breach of the Bank of Mauritius Act. The Labour Party rejected the video's claims and held a public demonstration after its release.{{cite news |last1=Denmamode |first1=Yasin |title=Navingate: le PTr monte au créneau |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/363268/navingate-ptr-monte-au-creneau |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=L'Express |date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019182642/https://lexpress.mu/article/363268/navingate-ptr-monte-au-creneau |archive-date=19 October 2021 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

Acting President Barlen Vyapoory dissolved parliament and issued the election writ on 6 October.{{cite news |title=Mauritius prime minister dissolves parliament, calls for election |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/6/mauritius-prime-minister-dissolves-parliament-calls-for-election |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117170723/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/6/mauritius-prime-minister-dissolves-parliament-calls-for-election |archive-date=17 January 2025 |url-status=live}} Polling stations were open from 7:00 to 18:00.{{cite web |title=Organisation and Conduct of Elections |url=https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/?page_id=669# |website=Office of the Electoral Commissioner |access-date=25 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003140105/https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/?page_id=669 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |url-status=live}} Voting centres in Agaléga and Rodrigues opened at 6:00, closing at 10:00 in Agaléga and 17:00 in Rodrigues. Vote counting began the day after the election.{{cite web |title=National Assembly Elections 2019 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117170723/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/6/mauritius-prime-minister-dissolves-parliament-calls-for-election |website=Office of the Electoral Commissioner |access-date=25 May 2025}}

Over 6,000 individuals were unable to vote as their names were missing from the electoral roll, despite many having voted in previous elections and remaining in the same constituencies. Electoral Commissioner Irfan Rahman said the missing names resulted from electoral canvassers, who were confirming enrolments, being unable to reach many homes or track voters before the election. He assured the electoral commission set up an SMS system to mitigate the issue but noted that only around 3,000 voters used it.{{cite news |title=Election 2019 : electoral blunders frustrate voters |url=https://defimedia.info/election-2019-electoral-blunders-frustrate-voters |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214120616/https://defimedia.info/election-2019-electoral-blunders-frustrate-voters |archive-date=14 December 2024 |url-status=live}}

Many election staff were allegedly inexperienced and insufficiently trained. One constituency was reportedly around 2,000 staff members short needed to conduct the election efficiently.{{cite news |last1=Kasenally |first1=Roukaya |title=2019 General election in Mauritius: Is our democracy in danger? |url=https://lexpress.mu/idee/367884/2019-general-election-mauritius-our-democracy-danger |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=L'Express |date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108091155/https://lexpress.mu/idee/367884/2019-general-election-mauritius-our-democracy-danger |archive-date=8 January 2020 |url-status=live}} In the Port Louis North & Montagne Longue constituency, an electoral officer lost a voter's identification card. An elector in the Montagne Blanche and Grande River South East constituency alleged that another individual had voted in her place. Kasenally Roukaya of the University of Mauritius said the less-than-ideal conduct stemmed from the electoral commission only having 30 days to prepare for the snap election. The commission's search for voting venues, often hosted by schools, was complicated by the election occurring around the same time as secondary school examinations.

Observer delegations from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Organisation internationale de la Francophonie stated that the election was mostly free and fair. The African Union mission recommended the government allow for votes to be counted immediately after polling stations close. The SADC delegation called for the introduction of an ethics code for journalists, noting the lack of impartiality among some state-owned outlets.{{cite news |title=Législatives 2019 : Bilans favorables pour Maurice |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/featured/legislatives-2019-bilans-favorables-pour-maurice/310510/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Le Mauricien |date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525102117/https://www.lemauricien.com/featured/legislatives-2019-bilans-favorables-pour-maurice/310510/ |archive-date=25 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

Alliance Morisien won re-election, securing 42 seats. Alliance Nationale won 17, and the MMM secured nine.{{cite news |title=ÉLECTIONS GÉNÉRALES 2019 |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/legislatives-2019/ |access-date=26 May 2025 |work=Le Mauricien |language=fr}} The Rodrigues People's Organisation retained its two seats, winning the Rodrigues constituency. The electoral supervisory commission appointed eight unsuccessful candidates to the National Assembly through the Best Loser System. Four contestants from Alliance Morisien were selected, along with three from Alliance Nationale and one MMM member.{{cite news |title=National Assembly Elections 2019: Alliance Morisien wins majority with 38 elected |url=https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/2019/National-Assembly-Elections-2019--Alliance-Morisien-wins-majority-with-38-elected.aspx |access-date=26 May 2025 |work=NewsGov |date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526045641/https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/2019/National-Assembly-Elections-2019--Alliance-Morisien-wins-majority-with-38-elected.aspx |archive-date=26 May 2025 |url-status=live}} Ramgoolam failed to secure a seat for the second time in a row, losing in the constituency of Montagne Blanche-Grand River South East. Due to the electoral system, Alliance Morisien secured a majority of seats despite obtaining only 37% of the vote. The disproportionate seat allocation to votes received, left Mauritius with a Gallagher index measurement of 17.94.{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Michael |title=Election indices data set |url=https://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/about/people/michael_gallagher/ElSystems/Docts/ElectionIndices.pdf |access-date=26 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406051552/https://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/about/people/michael_gallagher/ElSystems/Docts/ElectionIndices.pdf |page=30|archive-date=6 April 2025 |date=4 February 2025|url-status=live}} Voter turnout was 77%, an increase from 74% in 2014.{{cite web |title=Voter Turnout |url=https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Voter-Turnout-1967-2024.pdf |website=Office of the Electoral Commissioner |access-date=26 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428220903/https://electoral.govmu.org/oec/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Voter-Turnout-1967-2024.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{Election results

|partytitle=Party or alliance

|image=File:Mauritian Parliament 2019.svg

|seattype1={{abbr|Cons|Constituency}}|seattype2={{abbr|BL|Best loser}}|seattype3=Total|seattype4=+/–

|party1=Alliance Morisien (MSM–ML–MAG–PM)|votes1=805036|st1t1=38|st2t1=4|st3t1=42

|party2=Alliance Nationale (PTR–PMSD–MJCB)|votes2=699807|st1t2=14|st2t2=3|st3t2=17

|party3=Mauritian Militant Movement|votes3=439402|st1t3=8|st2t3=1|st3t3=9

|party4=Reform Party|votes4=30350|st1t4=0|st2t4=0|st3t4=0

|party5=Rodrigues People's Organisation|votes5=20777|st1t5=2|st2t5=0|st3t5=2

|party6=Parti Kreol Morisien|votes6=19302|st1t6=0|st2t6=0|st3t6=0

|party7=100 Citoyens|votes7=19199|st1t7=0|st2t7=0|st3t7=0

|party8=Mauritian Solidarity Front|votes8=12898|st1t8=0|st2t8=0|st3t8=0

|party9=Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate|votes9=10975|st1t9=0|st2t9=0|st3t9=0

|party10=Lalians Lespwar|votes10=7104|st1t10=0|st2t10=0|st3t10=0

|party11=Parti Malin|votes11=5291|st1t11=0|st2t11=0|st3t11=0

|party12=Regroupement Socialiste Militant|votes12=4849|st1t12=0|st2t12=0|st3t12=0

|party13=Les Verts Fraternels|votes13=4803|st1t13=0|st2t13=0|st3t13=0

|party14=Lalit|votes14=4119|st1t14=0|st2t14=0|st3t14=0

|party15=Mouvement Mauricien Social Démocrate|votes15=3568|st1t15=0|st2t15=0|st3t15=0

|party16=Forum des Citoyens Libres|votes16=3189|st1t16=0|st2t16=0|st3t16=0

|party17=Rodrigues Movement|votes17=2462|st1t17=0|st2t17=0|st3t17=0

|party18=Front Patriotique Rodriguais Ecologique|votes18=1656|st1t18=0|st2t18=0|st3t18=0

|party19=Mouvman Zeness Morisien|votes19=1409|st1t19=0|st2t19=0|st3t19=0

|party20=Parti Lumière|votes20=1307|st1t20=0|st2t20=0|st3t20=0

|party21=Muvman Independantis Rodriguais|votes21=1231|st1t21=0|st2t21=0|st3t21=0

|party22=Mouvement Ene Sel Direction|votes22=1080|st1t22=0|st2t22=0|st3t22=0

|party23=Mouvement Democratique Mauricien|votes23=588|st1t23=0|st2t23=0|st3t23=0

|party24=Ralliement Citoyen Pour La Patrie|votes24=503|st1t24=0|st2t24=0|st3t24=0

|party25=Republicain En Marche|votes25=493|st1t25=0|st2t25=0|st3t25=0

|party26=Front Socialiste|votes26=443|st1t26=0|st2t26=0|st3t26=0

|party27=Rassemblement Socialiste Mauricien|votes27=342|st1t27=0|st2t27=0|st3t27=0

|party28=Mouvement Entrepreneurs|votes28=285|st1t28=0|st2t28=0|st3t28=0

|party29=Small Planters, Labourers and Farmers Party|votes29=275|st1t29=0|st2t29=0|st3t29=0

|party30=Liberte sans Frontiere|votes30=236|st1t30=0|st2t30=0|st3t30=0

|party31=La Republique En Marche|colour31={{party colour|La Republique En Marche (Mauritius)}}|votes31=228|st1t31=0|st2t31=0|st3t31=0

|party32=Mouvement Authentique Mauricien|votes32=206|st1t32=0|st2t32=0|st3t32=0

|party33=Party L'histoire Moris Selectif|votes33=169|st1t33=0|st2t33=0|st3t33=0

|party34=La Plateforme Sociale Curepipienne|votes34=78|st1t34=0|st2t34=0|st3t34=0

|party35=Four Cats Political Party|votes35=70|st1t35=0|st2t35=0|st3t35=0

|party36=Alliance pour L'Unité Mauricienne|votes36=61|st1t36=0|st2t36=0|st3t36=0

|party37=Mauritian National Congress|votes37=57|st1t37=0|st2t37=0|st3t37=0

|party38=Socialiste Militant Progressiste|votes38=53|st1t38=0|st2t38=0|st3t38=0

|party39=Independents|votes39=32512|st1t39=0|st2t39=0|st3t39=0

|total_st1t=62|total_st2t=8|total_st3t=70|total_st4t=

|valid=718398

|invalid=6838

|electorate=941719

|source=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200429023714/http://electoral.govmu.org/English/Documents/NAE2019/Results/Detailed%20results%20for%20all%20cons.pdf OEC], [https://web.archive.org/web/20200108083204/http://electoral.govmu.org/English/Documents/NAE2019/Results/Elected%20members%20formatted.pdf OEC], [https://web.archive.org/web/20200429020551/http://electoral.govmu.org/English/Documents/NAE2019/Results/Report%20to%20the%20ESC-%208%20additional%20seats%20in%20NA%2009%2011%2019.pdf OEC], [https://web.archive.org/web/20191126094920/http://electoral.govmu.org/English/Documents/NAE2019/VOTER%20TURNOUT%20-%20CONSTITUENCY.pdf OEC]

}}

Pravind Jugnauth and his cabinet were sworn in at the State House on 12 November.{{cite news |last1=Kanhye |first1=Ashwin |title=Prestation de serment - Pravind Jugnauth : «D’autres nominations suivront» |url=https://defimedia.info/prestation-de-serment-pravind-jugnauth-dautres-nominations-suivront |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527102621/https://defimedia.info/prestation-de-serment-pravind-jugnauth-dautres-nominations-suivront |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} Anerood Jugnauth stepped down from cabinet, relinquishing his role of mentor minister. Ivan Collendavelloo of the ML remained deputy prime minister.{{cite news |last1=Jaulim |first1=Fabrice |title=Conseil des ministres sortant : le dernier ballet pour certains et une autre danse pour d’autres |url=https://defimedia.info/conseil-des-ministres-sortant-le-dernier-ballet-pour-certains-et-une-autre-danse-pour-dautres |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527103535/https://defimedia.info/conseil-des-ministres-sortant-le-dernier-ballet-pour-certains-et-une-autre-danse-pour-dautres |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} The first session of the Seventh National Assembly commenced on 21 November. That day, parliament elected Sooroojdev Phokeer, a former ambassador to Egypt and the United States, as speaker,{{cite news |title=First Session of the Seventh National Assembly held today |url=https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/2019/First-Session-of-the-Seventh-National-Assembly-held-today.aspx |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=NewsGov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527104320/https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/2019/First-Session-of-the-Seventh-National-Assembly-held-today.aspx |archive-date=27 May 2025 |url-status=live}} succeeding Maya Hanoomanjee.{{cite news |title=Resumption of Parliament - new faces at the helm |url=https://defimedia.info/resumption-parliament-new-faces-helm |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125010527/https://defimedia.info/resumption-parliament-new-faces-helm |archive-date=25 January 2025 |url-status=live}} Zahid Nazurally became deputy speaker. Despite leading the Labour Party to two consecutive defeats, the party decided to have Ramgoolam remain leader. The Labour Party selected Arvin Boolell to be the leader of the opposition.{{cite news |last1=Hilbert |first1=Patrick |title=Arvin Boolell leader de l’opposition - Mohamed : «J’ai mis mon ambition de côté pour le bien du parti et du pays» |url=https://defimedia.info/arvin-boolell-leader-de-lopposition-mohamed-jai-mis-mon-ambition-de-cote-pour-le-bien-du-parti-et-du-pays |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527105457/https://defimedia.info/arvin-boolell-leader-de-lopposition-mohamed-jai-mis-mon-ambition-de-cote-pour-le-bien-du-parti-et-du-pays |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}

Several marked ballots from the Port Louis North/Montagne Longue constituencies and Port Louis Maritime/Port Louis East were found astray outside counting centres a few days after the election. The police later launched an investigation into the incident.{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Fernando |title=Bulletins de vote dans la nature : les urnes passées au crible |url=https://defimedia.info/bulletins-de-vote-dans-la-nature-les-urnes-passees-au-crible |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=21 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527105846/https://defimedia.info/bulletins-de-vote-dans-la-nature-les-urnes-passees-au-crible |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} Kasenally attributed Alliance Morisien's victory to its economic policies and infrastructure projects. She also noted the governing coalition's advantage of incumbency and its extensive use of state media. The Electoral Supervisory Commission received complaints alleging the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation's lack of impartiality during the campaign and favourable treatment of Alliance Morisien.

The opposition, including the Labour Party, the MMM, PMSD and the Reform Party, lodged electoral petitions in the Supreme Court, alleging irregularities such as undue influence and bribery.{{cite news |last1=Hilbert |first1=Patrick |title=Pétition électorale : l’opposition fait cause commune |url=https://defimedia.info/petition-electorale-lopposition-fait-cause-commune |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Le Défi Media Group |date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527110502/https://defimedia.info/petition-electorale-lopposition-fait-cause-commune |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Pétitions électorales: les affaires renvoyées |url=https://lexpress.mu/s/article/366627/petitions-electorales-affaires-renvoyees |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=L'Express |date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527110158/https://lexpress.mu/s/article/366627/petitions-electorales-affaires-renvoyees |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} An activist, Soopramanien Kistnen, was found murdered at a sugar cane plantation in Moka in October 2020.{{cite news |title=Kistnen Murder |url=https://www.mauritiustimes.com/mt/kistnen-murder/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=Mauritius Times |date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126180618/http://www.mauritiustimes.com/mt/kistnen-murder/ |archive-date=26 November 2024 |url-status=live}} Kisten was rumoured to be on the cusp of disclosing details of how 1,200 Bangladeshi nationals had been taken to vote multiple times in different constituencies and that the MSM had exceeded spending limits.{{cite news |last1=Jasodanand |first1=Narain |title=Affaire Kistnen: une bande organisée sévit-elle en toute liberté et sous haute protection? |url=https://lexpress.mu/article/386906/affaire-kistnen-une-bande-organisee-sevit-elle-en-toute-liberte-et-sous-haute |access-date=28 December 2020 |work=L'Express |date=28 December 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250527111349/https://lexpress.mu/article/386906/affaire-kistnen-une-bande-organisee-sevit-elle-en-toute-liberte-et-sous-haute |archive-date=27 May 2025 |language=fr |url-status=live}} Alliance Nationale's Surendra Dayal, who unsuccessfully contested Prime Minister Jugnauth's constituency of Quartier Militare and Moka, filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the constituency's result. Dayal claimed that Jugnauth and the other two successful candidates, who were also from Alliance Morisien, had engaged in bribery and undue influence to win their seats. The case was dismissed on appeal in 2023.{{cite news |title=Court upholds election of Mauritius PM in 2019 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/court-upholds-election-mauritius-pm-2019-2023-10-16/ |access-date=27 May 2025|work=Reuters |date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021195622/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/court-upholds-election-mauritius-pm-2019-2023-10-16/ |archive-date=21 October 2023|url-status=live|location=London}}

{{reflist}}

{{Mauritian elections}}

Mauritius

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Category:Elections in Mauritius

Mauritius