Consensus on proportional representation

According to the country?s leaders, the Constitution will be revised before the end of the year to introduce proportional representation into the electoral system. The MMM has approved the formula that had previously reached a consensus within the MSM. Between 10 and 12 more MPs will be designated in order to cater for under representation of opposition parties, a common feature in the First Past The Post system. Half of these MPs will have to be women to encourage parties to have more women on their lists for general elections. This formula has nothing to do with the party list system proposed by the MMM but this party has finally decided to make a ?major concession.? With this reform, the Parliament will be composed of 80 MPs.

New suspect in Dantier affair

Although a persistent offender was considered as one of the main suspects at the beginning of the investigation into the murder of Nadine Dantier, charges were finally abandoned after Marcellin Azie confessed the crime. The police lost interest in him and focused more on Marcellin Azie. Since the latter finally denied the crime and the DNA tests have proved negative, the police is now following other trails. The persistent offender is in prison for theft. Since the beginning of the investigation, five persons have been taken in for questioning by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

Postal services go cyber

After the upgrading of the postal services, 25 Community Interactive Kiosks have been installed in post offices, while more are waiting to be equipped with this new feature that enables easy access to Internet and broadband connection for Rs1 per minute. Users can send emails, play games, print documents or use the kiosks as telephones. Cameras enable users to attach pictures or audio messages to emails. Part of the services are free and the ones that are paid for are accessible using Smart Cards from Mauritius Telecom or credit cards. The Mauritius Post Ltd will also soon supply Internet access through its company Mauripost.net in partnership with State Informatics Ltd. Banking services will be offered and post offices will also provide boards for advertising.