Apart from diehards, a good proportion of the electorate is still not very sure which party or alliance to give its allegiance to. The survey commisioned by l’express to pollster Synthèses reveals that one out of three voters is in that situation. Leaders of both alliances who are the main contenders in the 3rd July polls seem to have realised that they have to show their own conviction to gain the wavering voters’ trust. While the opposition seemed to have understood the gamble for quite some time, the outgoing government alliance has gradually regained strength and finally entered a real campaign.

The MSM-MMM alliance had, over the past weeks, seemed quite “absent” from the arena, but recently Paul Bérenger has gone out from his apparent torpor as he describes himself as a “young veteran”. The “purple and orange” streamers are becoming as visible as the ‘red and blue’ all over the island. This has boosted the tempo of the campaign as the polling day approaches.

However, the public has had the (naïve) hope that plastic streamers would be abandoned for a more eco-friendly material. The more so, as the MMM campaign manager and minister of Environment, Rajesh Bhagwan, had said the ruling alliance would find alternatives to plastic for their campaign.

<B>Vote-catching clichés</B>

Instead, both the government and the opposition continue to use plastic streamers and hide behind childish excuses. The MMM campaign manager says that bad habits are hard to lose while the opposition states that, if the government had done their job and decided on the issue, they would have followed suit.

Over the past week, both alliances have tried to show how better each would be for the population if it is voted into power. On the one hand, the MSM-MMM continues to advocate continuity – highlighting the number of important and positive changes it has brought in the country.

On the other, Labour and its partners advocate the “need for change”, pointing out how the present government has brought “insecurity, unemployment and a higher cost of living” – in short, the “clichés” meant to catch votes.

Both sides express one (surprising) similarity: Paul Bérenger and Navin Ramgoolam already see themselves as prime minister on 4th July. They both claim their alliance will brush aside its opponents. They look so sure of their victory and appear so self-confident that they have both criticised last Sunday’s survey commissioned by l’express to Synthèses.

The sensible decision taken by the newspaper not to reveal the voters’ intended choice as to the winner as this could tip the balance – has got on the nerves of more than one. The fact that the gap between the two alliances is so close, added to the large proportion of wavering voters, “forced” the newspaper not to say who is ahead in the race. MSM candidate, Prakash Manthrooa, said that “surveys do not generally reflect what is to happen in reality” and Labour candidate Rama Sithanen says the survey “doesn’t deserve any comment”.

While it would have been more profitable to publish their electoral manifestos and help the “undecided” make their choice, politicians prefer to knock the pollsters. If only they could say clearly what they intend to do when they are elected, the country would fare better… Because the winner of the 4th July polls is supposed to be the country – not the politicians…

<B>Personalities in the limelight…</B>

● Lady Sarojini Jugnauth’s presence at a political rally has been strongly criticised by all parties – except, of course, the outgoing ruling alliance. The fact that the president’s wife went to a political rally and told the audience what they should vote gave rise to a debate. Lady Sarojini said she was expressing herself as a Mauritian citizen. The opposition, as well as many from civil society, considered this a “faux pas”…

● Cehl Meeah was also the heart of debate. The announcement by ‘Front Solidarité Mauricien’ that its electorate should support Rama Valayden engendered panic in political circles. While the ruling alliance declared that there was a secret agreement between Ceal Meeah and the social alliance, the latter firmly denied the facts. It even suggested that Paul Bérenger might have beeen behind the rumours. Cehl Meeah himself said he had nothing to do with the social alliance but just wanted to help the only politician who had stood up for him while he was in prison.