Opposition coalition Alliance du Changement has won the November 10 legislative votes, security 60 seats in parliament in the island nation.The electoral commission announced this Tuesday after outgoing premier Jugnauth had stated this party was headed for defeat.
Following Sunday parliamentary votes, Mauritius’ incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth unveiled on Monday that his political alliance accepted a major defeat as results put the rival coalition led by a three-time former premier ahead.
According to the nation’s premier, the Alliance du Changement headed by veteran politician Navin Ramgoolam has won in the vote in the Indian Ocean archipelago of about 1.3 million people.
With a cost of living crisis relative to the nation’s economic impasse, uppermost in voters’ minds, Rangoolam’s alliance had said it planned to increase pensions as well as introduce free transport and internet services, and reduce fuel prices.
Jugnauth who became premier in 2017 on his part had promised to raise minimum wages, increase pensions and reduce value-added tax on some goods. He also negotiated an October agreement for Britain to cede the Chagos Islands while retaining the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base.
Earlier this month, his government blocked social media platforms until a day after the election, citing national security concerns after conversations between public figures were leaked. It lifted the ban a day later after opposition parties criticized the move.
Voters went to the polls to elect lawmakers for the 62 seats in parliament for the next five years, from a list of 68 parties and five political alliances.
Whichever party or coalition gets more than half the seats in parliament also wins the prime minister’s post.
Voter turnout stood at 79.3% of just over 1 million registered voters, election commission data showed.
Official results will be released Tuesday but opposition announced it won all 60 seats that have been announced.
