The government had announced during the electoral campaign that it would quickly hold local government elections if it was elected. History has shown that electors are generally in favour of the parties in power for such elections. The government did not thus want to lose that golden opportunity and perfect timing to contain the purple white and blue wave… It even launched the campaign even though this is usually expected from the opposition.

The latter did not have any other choice than to counter-attack. The MMM-MSM-PMSD alliance will introduce its candidates tomorrow – one day before the government. The nomination day has been fixed for 10th September. There are 126 seats for these municipal elections in the five towns to be held on 2nd October.

The opposition leader, Paul Bérenger, however appears confident in spite of the defeat in the general elections and the recent defection of MP Eric Guimbeau. Since 2001, the MSM-MMM-PMSD alliance has dominated the five towns – Port-Louis, Quatre-Bornes, Curepipe, Vacoas-Phoenix and Beau-Bassin-Rose-Hill. He believes it should keep its seats in Port-Louis, Curepipe and Beau-Bassin-Rose-Hill. He nevertheless admits that the fight may be tougher in Quatre-Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix.

<B>MMM star</B>

The resignation of two MSM municipal councillors in Quatre-Bornes and the resignation of one member of each of the opposition parties in Curepipe may have an important impact on the results and thus favour the government alliance. To counter this possible effect, the opposition has chosen to present Steven Obeegadoo, one of the MMM stars and former minister of Education, as well as two former ministers, Motee Ramdass and Ravi Yeerigadoo, as candidates in Curepipe.

However, Port-Louis undoubtedly remains the prize each alliance aims at. More than just for the prestige, winning the capital also means winning control over four constituencies, which is a major advantage.

Ashock Jugnauth from the MSM and Abdullah Hossen from the MMM – the outgoing lord-mayor – have finally decided to step down in Port-Louis. Oomar Uteem, candidate in Vallée Pitot, has confirmed he would stand as candidate in the capital as well as Gérard Grivon, Clyde Vacher, Gérard Nina and Suzelle Séblin.

The PMSD will present its highest number of candidates in Port-Louis and is trying to get the Lord Mayorship if the opposition gets the majority of seats there. The party should be granted 20 out of the 126 tickets for these municipal elections. The rest will be equally shared between the two other parties.

<B>Newcomers</B>

Three newcomers in politics – even though famous at other levels – have been named. Two sportsmen – sprinter Stéphane Buckland and judo world champion, Mario Bienvenu, will stand as candidates for the PMSD. Likewise, Sandra O’Reilly, known for her fight to sensitise the public on sexual aggressions on women, is also expected on the PMSD list.

As for the government, a team where everyone of the six parties is represented has been working on a draft list of candidates and has submitted it to the prime minister and leader of the social alliance, Navin Ramgoolam. The distribution of tickets has been done according to the strength each party has in each ward. This is why the PMXD will have a large number of candidates in Curepipe while the MR of Rama Valayden will be highly represented in Rose-Hill. As for the other parties, such as the Social Democratic Movement of Anil Bachoo and the Mauritian Socialist Militant Movement led by Madan Dulloo, they will have more candidates for village elections than for the towns.

As soon as the municipal elections are over, the parties will not have much respite as it will be time to campaign for the village council elections scheduled for 11th December… This country seems to be spending more time campaigning than anything else.