Facing the press this morning, Xavier-Luc Duval discussed the government’s planned appointments to the Electoral Supervisory Commission and the Electoral Boundaries Commission. As leader of the Opposition, he has been consulted by the President of the Republic about the appointments to the three institutions. He said he had no objection to the appointment of Ahmad Jeewa to the Equal Opportunities Commission and those intended in the Competition Commission.
However, he said, he would object to the two proposed appointments, namely Shadmeenee Mootien and Yashvirsingh Roopun, who will replace Dev Cowrea and Narghis Bundhun. The government also intends to reappoint Vedita Poorun. For Xavier-Luc Duval, these proposals are “totally unacceptable“. He highlights that the Electoral Supervisory Commission is responsible for the organization of elections and also for the registration of voters. For him, appointing political agents to these two institutions is backstabbing the population and the democracy.
For Xavier-Luc Duval, it will destroy the little trust that Mauritians have in the elections and the electoral system.
On this same subject, Paul Bérenger accused the President of not respecting the provisions of the Constitution. He said that in relation to appointments to the ESC and the EBC, the Head of State also has a duty in addition to the Leader of the Opposition “to consult the leaders of the political parties“. He added that Xavier-Luc Duval will respond to the letter of the President of the Republic and formally object to these appointments. He also announced that, if necessary, the Opposition could consider challenging these appointments in court.
