Both sides are actively preparing their campaign. Even funnier, both sides seem to be preparing their victory. There are two certainties so far: the general elections will be held on 3rd of July and the nomination day has been fixed for 30th May. Meanwhile, both alliances say they are finalising their list of candidates.

Things look clearer on the ruling alliance?s side. It seems that the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM)/Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) alliance has already settled the sharing of tickets. Although the names of candidates have not been published yet, it appears that they will be shared on a half/half basis: 30 tickets to each party. If this is confirmed, each party should take one ticket from theirs to give it to the PMSD led by Maurice Allet, which is the third party of the ruling alliance.

As for the opposition, nothing is sure but the contest is not over concerning the 45 tickets Labour has taken and the 15 it will allocate to its partners, which comprise the MMSM of Madan Dulloo, the PMXD of Xavier Luc Duval, Les Verts-Fraternels of Sylvio Michel, the MSD (the former MSM members led by Anil Bachoo) and the MR of Rama Valayden. But this allocation could be reviewed downward for Labour who would then take 43 tickets against 17 for all others. Labour members themselves do not yet know where they will stand as candidates for the forthcoming election.

As for the programme, however, Labour has so far been more loquacious than its opponent. After mentioning on Mayday the ten measures he intends to take within his first 100 days in power, Navin Ramgoolam elaborated on some of them later in the week because they could have been subject to misinterpretation.

After saying he would put an end to Form VI colleges ? which implied restoring the ranking system for the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE)? he said a few days after that he would not re-establish the ranking. How does he intend to proceed? Details will be given later?

However, he dropped another bomb at his press conference last Saturday: he said he would stop all work on the South Eastern Highway on the day he is back in power, i.e. 4th July. This is quite hilarious as PM Bérenger has always said that his own government could not back pedal on that project because the Labour government had committed itself with the African Development Bank? Mauritian should be told who is telling the truth...

<B>Important place for women</B>

The opposition leader is also very anxious about what the prime minister will do after 2008 after the latter announced that the next prime ministership would be equally shared between Pravind Jugnauth and himself. But, as if Paul Bérenger had heard his question, he stated his intentions at his press conference on the same day.

He announced that, barring unforeseen circumstances, he would dedicate himself to his own party, the MMM, after he hands on the torch to Pravind Jugnauth in 2008. His aim is to give the MMM a second youth. Does the MMM leader realize that his party needs new inspiration ? or that its partisans have lost fervour and enthusiasm?

The PM, at his press conference, stated the ?highlights? of his manifesto. The ruling alliance is advocating continuity. They intend to do what they didn?t have time to do during the past five years to get the economy back on the rails. He added that the population shouldn?t have much difficulty choosing between his ?active? government and the opposition, which had proved ?inefficient? during its five years in power from 1995 and 2000.

Moreover, the two ruling parties look determined to show that they have an important place for women. The decision of nominating the minister of Arts and Culture, Leela Devi-Dookhun, the MSM campaign manager may well lie in this framework. But the ruling alliance intends to go further by allocating ten tickets to women.

As long as these tickets are given to competent people and not only because the candidates are women, this is a good initiative. But considering the names that have been circulated for potential candidates, there seems clearly to be a ?shortage of new blood?. Candidates seem to be the ones who usually stand for election and there has been no obvious renewal? Does no one want to venture into the political arena or do politicians make little room for new arrivals?

<B>Wise campaign? </B>

Both sides agree that the electoral campaign will not be an impressive one. Of course, rallies will be organised but they will not be as frequent as small local meetings with voters of various regions. Thanks to this method, both the government and the opposition try to get closer to the people and show them how they can help make their daily lives better. In small groups, politicians might be able to hear and try to solve some of their problems.

Last week, there was no major rally but the leaders on both sides attended socio-cultural events where support was reiterated for one or the other. Hence, while Navin Ramgoolam attended a function at the Human Service Trust of Dhundev Bahadoor, who assured him of his support in the general elections, the PM and his deputy were at a Rajput ceremony. On the other hand, the Tamil Temples Federation has said clearly it will remain neutral on the issue. But, ironically, its outgoing president, Rajen Narsinghen, has resigned to give his full support to the opposition.

<B>Those who could tip the balance?</B>

Next to the leaders of the main parties, there are others who can?t be overlooked?and who refuse to be! Hence, Cehl Meeah and Raj Dayal both assert that they can tip the balance in favour of the alliance that would be willing to take them on board. They have in fact not been contacted by either the ruling alliance or the opposition. While the leader of the Front Solidarité Mauricien (FSM), Ceel Meeah, claims his party represents the majority of Muslims - that is an important percentage of the electorate. Raj Dayal, who has already proved his political weight in 2000 in constituency n° 10 (Montagne-Blanche-GRSE), has already shown where his sympathies lie. Both intend to use their ethnic strength. On the other hand, Harish Boodhoo and Sutthydeo Tengur have not so far stated which party they will support and they do not seem very inclined to stand for election. As there are 20 days left till Nomination Day, we should be ready for all sorts of surprises...