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Mauritius: Putting 'nou banne' first
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L'Express (Port Louis)
OPINION
7 April 2008
Posted to the web 7 April 2008
By Surendra Bissoondoyal
Port Louis
The electoral system that laid the foundation for a democratically elected parliament has served Mauritus well, but it is not an ideal system.
Its weaknesses lie in what it promotes as well as in what it does not promote. It makes voters have a "communal" reflex when voting whilst the 'first past the post' system denies a fair representation to even medium sized parties.
The issue however is more complex than we tend to believe. We have had the 'best loser' system for 40 years, a system which has to some extent reassured minorities about their right to representation. But as Sir Kher Jagatsingh once said, we are all minorities in Mauritius. At the same time it does not give due recognition to different shades of political opinion as it can deny representativeness to parties which obtain even 25% of the votes cast.It is therefore time to look for a better formula which can consolidate the democratic process.
It is high time that we ponder on the term 'democratic process' rather than just on the electoral process. What we have got is a system that creates winners and losers, with winners taking all. Once an election is over it is the Prime Minister who rules, not just governs. Appointments are made to thank "nou banne" irrespective of whether they are competent or not. Proximity to ministers ensures obtention of advantages and favours. This is where 'nou bannism' and 'communalism' raise their ugly heads. The forces of division --- "communal'"/religious/ casteist --- come into play for the benefit of those who claim that their 'group' (read themselves) have not got their 'boutte'. How can we think that just changing the electoral system will change the mental set up of the people? It is the Constitution of Mauritius itself that needs to be looked at critically.
More instances of decision making need to be put in place with the President and the Supreme Court invested with more powers. There are too many terms like 'to be appointed by/ with the approval of' the Prime Minister or the Minister concerned in many Acts of Parliament setting up parastatal bodies. The governing Boards of the bodies, if properly constituted, should be given the responsibility to make such decisions. A second House, as exists in many countries will go a long way to allay the fears of not only 'minorities' but also of the general public. As the saying goes power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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If the 'best loser' system is scrapped without amending the Constitution to establish other instances of decision making, the feeling that governments will continue to put their 'banne' first will vitiate the atmosphere. People who will not be able to identify themselves with those in power can become frustrated and engage in violent behaviour. So long as our mindset denies some Mauritians the right to aspire to the highest post in the country our electoral reform will only be an exercise in hypocrisy.
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