In view of the crowds both alliance managed to gather last Sunday for their last national rallies before the general elections, it is difficult to believe that 30% of the population still don?t know whom they will vote for. Unless they have do not wish to reveal their choice. The mobilisation was extraordinary on both sides. Of course, each is now convinced that it is the one that has mobilised the highest number of people.

The ruling alliance, which held its rally in Quatre-Bornes, looks satisfied with the number of people present ? and, above all, with their communicative enthusiasm. For its last national gathering, the government chose to lay emphasis on national unity. Instead of making promises to each ethnic community ? guaranteeing them that the government, if re-elected, would give equal treatment to everybody ? it decided to address the Mauritian nation. Quite unusual but a most pleasant choice!

In Quay Square in Port-Louis where the Social Alliance had taken up residence on that Sunday morning, the mood seems to have been just as electric. Navin Ramgoolam and his partners stressed on the government?s ?disastrous? mandate. Comparing these last five years with the period he himself was in government, the opposition leader said the choice should be obvious as corruption, drugs and insecurity are rife now. He promised that the situation will change very soon, as soon as he gets back to power.

Both leaders look utterly convinced of their future victory. They appeared more than confident in view of the great number of families coming to the rallies. On this sunny Sunday morning, the rallies indeed appeared like ?family outings?.

But, as in most political rallies, many people present are already partisans ? sometimes activists ? of the ones they have come to see. Hence, the leaders didn?t have much to do to convince the crowd? And to convince themselves that the rallies were a success!

However, what could appear more like a trial of strength was the simultaneous presentation of the electoral manifesto by both alliances last Friday. By doing this, we could be tempted to say that they took the risk of comparison by the electors? But, as this presentation occurred hardly a week before polling day, it is not sure they will have real weight in voters? choice. Unless the undecided were waiting for them to make their choice!

<B>After the advent of private radios three years ago, private TV now appears as a must. The hopeless «debates» on public TV are a proof that a change is much needed. In fact, there has been no real debate so far. </B>

As for the programme layout, no doubt the social alliance made a special effort. Instead of the common paper used by the ruling alliance, the opposition chose glazed paper of a higher standard. The choice of the picture also seems to have been the subject of more reflection. With their several hands joined ? representing the different communities ? the opposition leaves no chance to the ?hundred-times seen? faces of the MSM-MM leaders, Pravind Jugnauth and Paul Bérenger.

However, an electoral manifesto should be assessed on its content rather than its appearance. The only problem is both programmes are not so different in content. A sign that both sides know what will attract the public or a sign that none wants to take any risks? In any case, this is one more reason for saying these programmes will not be crucial in the choice of electors.

Economy is at the core of both sides? preoccupations. On the one hand, the MSM-MMM promises a second economic miracle with Mauritius becoming a cyber island and a duty-free shopping paradise. The outgoing government wants to create a democratisation fund of Rs 100 million for enterprises while the Social Alliance puts emphasis on the democratisation of the economy. As it has made it its hobbyhorse for the past few years, such a main theme was expected. The most important measures of the opposition mostly concern land access.

Some other important commitments of the current government concern education with free exam fees for SC and HSC students and free distribution of schoolbooks. To boost the ICT sector and make it available to the majority, the MSM-MMM plans to give 25 hours of Internet free to all students as well as Rs 10,000 to each family earning up to Rs 10,000 monthly to purchase a computer.

The creation of a ?family court? and 5,000 new low cost houses are also part of the programme. To ease road congestion, they plan to build a ring road around Port-Louis with several entries to the town centre.

The Social Alliance devotes quite a large part of its programme to the political system. It will reduce the number of ministers to 19 and the number of junior ministers from 10 to 5 to reduce public expenditure. Moreover, it announces a referendum concerning the reform of the electoral system. The opposition wants to review the Police Act and the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act as well as introduce the Freedom of Information Act.

One of its most important measures is the introduction of private television. After the private radios three years ago, private TV appears as a must. The hopeless ?debates? on public TV are a proof that a change is much needed. Not only is the presentation insipid and depressing but there has been no real debate so far? And we can?t expect to have one before polling day. While we could, in a democracy, hope to have real debates, which would bring out ideas and help the public make up its mind, there have only been bland monologues by candidates? Some just content themselves with taking stock of the government?s realisations while others are only happy with criticisms. In such a context, it?s not surprising to see people disoriented about the choice they have to make!

<B>Deaths of two party activists mar the electoral campaign</B>

The campaign had been ?soft? so far? It was even said there was a lack of enthusiasm from all parties! Unfortunately, that hard - and gloomy - side of the campaign showed its face during the past week with the deaths of two party activists, one from each side. One was accidental and the other criminal though the authorities claim that the latter was an ?isolated incident?.

Last Monday, Anand Banarsee, 36, was electrocuted while trying to put up streamers for his party ? Labour ? on electric pylons. This inhabitant of Surinam had always dreamed of having a job in the civil service.

He successively worked for Labour in 1995, then for the current ruling alliance in 2000 to try and get a job in the public sector. Twice, he was disappointed to see that politicians didn?t keep their promises and didn?t give him the job he wanted so much. As his family was traditionally Labour, he decided to go back to his convictions and had been working for the Social Alliance since the beginning of the campaign. He lost his life leaving his wife, Jumma and his daughter Sweta behind.

The social alliance has promised his wife she will get a job as a civil servant if they come to power next week. It would be great if the authorities decided to prohibit the placing of streamers on these dangerous pylons?

During the weekend, another tragedy took place in Midlands. Pynee Ramsamy, an activist of the MSM-MMM alliance, was stabbed to death by an agent of the opposition. This 57 year-old man was caught in a squabble between opposing agents last Saturday. Hoolash and Parmessur Bassennoo, two brothers, Pawan Goodcharan and the victim got into a row over the campaign, which rapidly degenerated.

The police have questioned Pawan Goodcharan while his two friends have been admitted to hospital. Hoolash Bassennoo has been charged with the stabbing of the MSM-MMM agent.

PM Paul Bérenger, his deputy, Pravind Jugnauth, and the three constituency candidates have visited the victim?s relatives. His wife is said to be inconsolable. She has four children. Both alliances have vowed to work together to prevent such deplorable incidents from marring the campaign, which until then had been very civilised.