Mauritius Trade Unions Oppose 'Same Day Counting' Proposal for General Elections

Mauritius' trade unions, including the Government Services Employees Association and the All Civil Service Employees and Other Unions Federation, are voicing strong opposition to the 'same day counting' proposal for the upcoming general elections. The unions cite logistical and security concerns as primary reasons for their stance.

Union leaders argue that counting votes on the same day of the elections presents significant logistical challenges. They highlight the extensive hours required to set up polling stations, count votes, and transport ballot boxes, which they believe would be impractical to manage in a single day.

Security concerns are also at the forefront of the unions' objections. They worry about the safety of election officials who would need to travel home late at night after the vote counting is completed. This raises potential risks for those involved in the election process.

Vinod Seegum, president of the All Civil Service Employees and Other Unions Federation, expressed concerns about the confidentiality of votes. He believes that counting votes in each polling station could compromise the secrecy of the vote. 'In the current context, same day counting is not feasible, for various reasons. In the event that there is a general willingness among several political parties to do so on the same day,' said Seegum.

Why this matters: The outcome of this debate has significant implications for the democratic process in Mauritius, as it affects the integrity and transparency of the electoral system. If implemented, same-day counting could lead to logistical challenges, security risks, and compromised voter confidentiality, potentially undermining the credibility of the election results.

Bhoopa Brizmohun, secretary of the Government General Services Union, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before implementing changes. 'We are not against changes, but they should not be made hastily. We need to take into consideration the constraints that same day counting imposes,' Brizmohun stated.

Haniff Peerun, president of the Mauritius Labour Congress, raised additional concerns about the well-being of election officials. 'We need to accord particular attention to the fatigue of election officials if they have to participate in the counting exercise on election day. And what about security, transportation, and food?' Peerun questioned.

The Electoral Commissioner is scheduled to meet with government leaders to discuss the proposal. However, union leaders remain skeptical about the feasibility of implementing same day counting in time for the upcoming general elections.

The initial meeting with the Electoral Commissioner was scheduled for May 28 but was postponed to the following week. On May 31, Vinod Seegum reiterated his opposition to same day counting during a meeting with the Electoral Commissioner.

The debate continues, with the unions' concerns highlighting the complexities and potential risks associated with the 'same day counting' proposal. The outcome of the discussions between the Electoral Commissioner and government leaders will be pivotal in determining the approach for the upcoming general elections.

Key Takeaways

• Mauritius' trade unions oppose "same day counting" for general elections due to logistical and security concerns.
• Union leaders cite long hours, transportation, and security risks for election officials as major concerns.
• Same-day counting may compromise voter confidentiality and undermine election credibility.
• Unions want careful consideration before implementing changes to the electoral process.
• The Electoral Commissioner will meet with government leaders to discuss the proposal, but unions remain skeptical.