The Alliance du Changement (Alliance of Change), consisting of the Mauritius Labour Party, the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), the Nouveaux Democrates (ND) and Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA) has last week unveiled its electoral manifesto for the forthcoming general election being held on Sunday 10 November 2024. The alliance has emphasized on its 7 main  priorities and the 25 popular measures.

Spread over 60 pages, the manifesto highlights the vision of the Alliance du Changement and its objectives.

THE 7 PRIORITIES OF ITS MANIFESTO

1. Stimulate the economy to fight rising prices and reduce the cost of living.

2. Actively fighting drug trafficking and insecurity issues to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

3. To re-identify our education system so that it is more equitable, to encourage young people to continue their studies and acquire knowledge.

4. Restore an equitable, reliable and high-quality health system to ensure care that is accessible to all

5. Fight corruption, restore democracy, restore our individual freedoms and restore order and peace.

6. Encourage sustainable development, protect the environment and take a thoughtful approach to real estate development.

7. Pay special attention to our residents and elders, ensuring their well-being and needs.

THE 25 IMPORTANT MEASURES

1. Prioritizing the fight against price increases: Establishment of a Rs 10 billion support fund to stabilize essential commodities and reduce the burden on families.

2. New economic model, with the creation of a Master Plan focused on the green economy, new technologies and the ocean economy.

3. Guarantee that the old-age pension, disability pension and other social allowances will be gradually increased to a minimum of Rs 21500 during our mandate.

4. Reduction of the price of petrol and diesel, re-organization of the CEB for a reduction in electricity prices; free internet for every family.

5. Free public transport for all, including school vans; Rethink, modernize and go green in the bus industry to offer an efficient, reliable service that complies with safety standards.

6. Lowering the prices of medicines and vouchers for medicines that are not available in public health centers.

7. Full coverage of the costs of treatment abroad for patients, regardless of age, when treatment is not available locally, and establishment of a Diabetes and Foot Care Unit in each regional hospital.

8. A new Master Plan on drugs which will take account of the need to facilitate the rehabilitation of drug addicts and their reintegration into society.

9. Abolition of the tax on income of less than Rs 1M, on the Basic Retirement Pension, the Basic Invalid’s Pension and other social allowances and tax exemption for taxpayers aged 18 to 28

10. Return to the old criteria of 3 credits for admission to Grade 12 leading to HSC and creation of a digital platform to ensure continuity in the teaching and learning process

11. One-off payment of registration fees only on the purchase of a new vehicle.

12. Improve water supply in all regions through productive investments in collection, treatment and distribution; Replacement of defective ducts

13. Make the Land Drainage Master Plan public and rationalize the construction of drains to minimize the risk of flooding

14. Clean up and revive the organization of horse racing: revive the Champ de Mars and review the Animal Welfare Act to better protect animals. Construction of a hospital for animals with a 24-hour ambulance service.

15. National program for the renovation and development of residences, and restructuring and revival of social housing programs.

16. Urgent re-organization of the port, airport and Air Mauritius and massive investment in agriculture, fisheries and livestock to revitalize the economy and ensure food security.

17. Construction of a fully equipped concert hall for the holding of artistic events, including musical concerts, and transformation of one of the football stadiums into a venue for musical concerts.

18. Creation of a special fund from the proceeds of the National Lottery to support elite athletes, including their regional participation, and ensure that their training is free of charge.

19. Guarantee the independence and impartiality of the MBC in the Constitution, abolish the Rs 150 license fee and introduce private television channels.

20. A real electoral reform with at least one third of women on the list of party candidates for the general elections, a transparent law on the financing of political parties; an anti-defector law and the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act.

21. Election of the President of the Republic by an electoral college and of a Speaker of the National Assembly whose independence and impartiality are guaranteed in the constitution.

22. Strengthening the independence and powers of the DPP in the Constitution.

23. Restore the prestige and independence of the police force and replace the SSS/NIU

24. Replacement of the Financial Crimes Commission with a powerful anti-corruption institution and replacement of the ADSU with a multidisciplinary institution to combat drug trafficking and use.

25. Implementation of innovative solutions to achieve the objectives of “zero waste” and “zero landfill”, by reducing the landfilling of domestic waste and creating added value through processes such as composting, recycling, energy recovery of waste, as well as the safe treatment of medical waste to eliminate any biological risk.

However, over and above these measures, the Alliance du Changement has further given its word to honour a promise, that of the payment of a ”14th month salary”,  made by its rival the Alliance Lepep if it comes to power next week.  The 13th month is usually referred to the end of year bonus, but the Alliance Lepep, lead by MSM leader and outgoing Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, last week, at its national rally in Phoenix, announced the payment of a 14th  month salary across the board in December 2024. This payment will also be made to all pensioners.

The Alliance du Changement has also announced a drastic cut in the price of fuel as from January 2025, as well as the payment of a Carer’s allowance of Rs 10,000 monthly to Disability Allowance recipients, and VAT exemption and/or reduction on basic necessities in a bid to deflate rising prices of essential commodities.

This week is the last leg of the electoral campaign and all political parties are busy holding daily meetings across the country. The campaign is also being fought on social media.

Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Leader of the Labour party and of the Alliance of Change (centre), with on the left, Shakeel Mohamed, member of the Labour Party, Richard Duval, Leader of the Nouveaux Democrates, and on the right, Paul Raymond Berenger, Leader of the MMM and Ashok Subron, Leader of the ReA.