Mauritius opposition wins country’s election by landslide

JOHANNESBURG — Mauritius’ opposition coalition won the country’s elections by a landslide, taking all seats in the country’s parliament in a large rejection of the current government.

According to results declared in various constituencies across the country on Monday, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth failed to win any of the 62 seats for which voters can decide directly.

Jagnauth conceded defeat before the full results were announced and said the Militant Socialist Movement coalition was headed for a major defeat as it became clear that the opposition had won in all 21 constituencies in the country.

The victory of the Alliance for Change coalition will see the return of Navin Ramgoolam as the country’s prime minister. He served as prime minister between 1995-2000 and 2005-2014.

Jugnauth, who has been in office since 2017, was seeking another five-year term in the Indian Ocean island nation but his government has faced allegations of corruption after records of politicians and businessmen were leaked online.

“The population decided to choose another team. I wish the country good luck,” Jugnauth said on Monday.

Official results, which will include two seats from Rodrigues Island, are expected to be announced on Tuesday, but the opposition has already won all 60 declared seats.

Eight more MPs will be nominated by the Electoral Supervisory Board, bringing the total to 70 seats in parliament.

At least 1 million people registered to vote on Sunday in the 12th election since Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968.

Located approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) off the east coast of Africa, Mauritius is considered one of the continent’s most stable democracies and has developed a successful economy since gaining independence, supported by financial, tourism and agricultural sectors.