Mauritius opposition leader claims sweeping vote win

Opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam has declared a sweeping victory for his Alliance of Change coalition in Mauritius, claiming all 60 seats in the National Assembly after Sunday’s vote.

This unprecedented result comes after Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of the Lepep coalition acknowledged a “huge defeat,” marking a striking shift in power for one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

Ramgoolam, a former two-time prime minister, celebrated with supporters in his constituency, proclaiming, “I hope PKJ resigns soon. He was beaten 60-0.” His rallying cry, “The power of the people is stronger than a dictatorship,” was met with loud cheers and blaring horns.

The decisive 60-0 score, if confirmed, would mark only the third time Mauritius has seen such a complete victory since gaining independence from Britain in 1968. Final results are expected soon, with additional seats allocated under the “best loser” system for further representation.

The election was clouded by a recent wire-tapping scandal, in which leaked phone calls of politicians, diplomats, and journalists surfaced online, raising questions about governance in the island nation. Despite Mauritius’ robust economic growth and status as one of Africa’s wealthiest countries, both parties focused on cost-of-living issues during their campaigns. Ramgoolam’s Alliance of Change pledged reforms including free public transport, increased pensions, and measures to tackle corruption.

Jugnauth, in office since 2017, recently celebrated a diplomatic victory in a historic deal with Britain over the Chagos Islands. However, this achievement was overshadowed by local concerns, leading to what some view as a referendum on his leadership.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly congratulated Ramgoolam, expressing optimism for closer cooperation. As Mauritius awaits the official results and international observer verdicts, the political shift underscores a new chapter for the country, rooted in both tradition and growing demands for reform.