by Pauline ETIENNE

There are obviously two players in any election: the elector and the candidate. The same applies to a corruption practice: two parties have to be involved for the corruption to take place.

The judiciary found Ashock Jugnauth guilty of electoral bribery and it is not a matter of questioning the ruling. The election has been declared null and void. Ashock Jugnauth will at least have set the example for any future politicians who might be tempted to please the electorate just before an election takes place. Because there have already been so many of them and there will surely be more to come?

However, politicians should not be the only ones to be blamed. People accepted the construction of a cemetery and accepted jobs at the ministry of Health. I would even bet that some would have been disappointed if they had not obtained anything and would be surprised if nobody even asked for favours.

This is the way things work in Mauritius. Citizens may expect a lot more before the elections are held than when the new government is in power. They know their streets will be resurfaced or their drainage system renewed.

The problem actually comes from both sides and it might be difficult to say who started the vicious circle. In any case, there is one certainty: the public has been aware for some time now that they can benefit from ?presents? from the ones wishing to be elected and some of them will not hesitate to put pressure on candidates to obtain something in exchange for their votes.

As from that moment, there is a risk that elections become a way for citizens to raise the bidding until they obtain everything they want: from a dish of ?briani? or a ?tempo? to a new sewage system? It could be anything.

So, the ruling against Ashock Jugnauth could not only set the example for politicians but be also a way of raising the alarm for a complete change in the public?s mentality. Many of the people who claim to be sickened by the attitude of Ashock Jugnauth during the elections may not hesitate if they are offered some ?change in their lives? by a corrupted politician. They might even be delighted to have an election because they know they will be able to get something out of it.

There is no doubt that there is an abundance of requests from the public before an election. They know perfectly well that politicians are particularly vulnerable at that time ? as they will not take the risk of losing a vote. So, they take advantage of the situation? and politicians do not need to be persuaded to give in to their ?blackmail?.

This little game has to stop. The judiciary has made a first step. But nothing can happen if politicians themselves do not lead the fight against corruption. And, in order to achieve such a situation, institutions like the electoral supervisory commission will have to align themselves on the ruling and be on their guard during all pre-electoral periods. The Republic of Mauritius will then become more transparent and? less corrupted!