The initiative of the Institute for Social Development and Peace (ISDP) should be highlighted. Although debates over electoral reform have occurred thousands of times in the past, they have rarely been held at the beginning of a government?s mandate. In fact, such debates are generally used by politicians just before general elections as a way of gaining votes. This time, the initiative of Roukaya Kasenally and Sheila Bunwaree, of the University of Mauritius should force stakeholders to organise a structured debate as from now so as to implement the reform during this mandate.

The two-day workshop was opened by the deputy PM and minister of Finance, Rama Sithanen. The latter is known to be a strong defender of proportional representation in Parliament as recommended by Judge Albie Sachs in his report. Such a system would be fairer than the present First Past the Post system.

Even though he reiterated the government?s desire to change the system during its mandate, the minister of Finance said he is aware that people are not so keen on change, ?People are afraid that the reform will be only in the interests of a few.?

It is true that people are scared of change and often prefer the known to the unknown ? even when the known is not really fair. This is why the first step towards change should be the education of the people. The debate has to move from intellectual and professional circles to the general public so that everyone feels concerned and understands the need for such change. The danger that the government should avoid is to use this fear of change as an excuse not to implement any change.

All participants at the workshop are agreed upon the fact that a change is needed. ?The new government mentioned this reform in its manifesto. It should not waste five more years,? highlighted Vijay Makhan, former diplomat and peacemaker in Mauritania.

One of the biggest arguments put forward by the defenders of proportional representation is that more women would have a seat in Parliament. Even though Rama Sithanen agrees with the need for more women in the National assembly, he does not think, like Ivan Collendavelloo, that this should go through an amendment of the Constitution.

The possible abolition of the Best Loser System in the reform has rekindled passions as usual. While its opponents castigate a system that ?makes each candidate become a communal one instead of a representative of a constituency?, one of its main defenders, Yousuf Mohamed, is on a crusade for the system to remain as it is because it protects minorities? rights.

If most participants are agreed on the need for change, they are not unanimous on ways of implementing it. But all parties were present at the workshop and the government should take advantage of the present atmosphere to launch a wider debate and, why not, start the reform.