Democracy and Political Governance Chapter 3 (divisions or units). They include the Passport and Immigration Unit. The DFSC and the Complaints Investigation Bureau (CIB) guarantee the oversight function of the MPF. 132. There are two criticisms of the MPF. The first is the abuse of detainees and suspects and that there is corruption. The second is that people die while in detention – victims numbered at least 47 between 1979 and 2006. 133. The CSAR notes that Mauritius faces some problems about law and order. The numbers of bank and street robberies, attacks on tourists, incidents in nightclubs, and sexual offences against children are increasing. There has also been a surge in domestic violence. ii. Findings of the CRM Chapter 3 Political party reform 136. 92 The CRM recognises that Mauritius has successfully built up very strong democratic credentials on the continent and globally. 135. The CRM learnt that there are several reasons (positive and negative) for this success. The CRM noted that the effect of coalition politics meant that, at all times since independence, one of the three main parties, the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), the MLP or the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD), was in power or was the official opposition. The constitution guarantees and recognises the position of the leader of the opposition. He or she is involved in making key decisions in the country. This significantly reduces the chances of political parties contesting electoral losses. The CRM learnt, in its discussions, that coalitions are formed before elections. This determines the results of elections beforehand. More importantly, the CRM noted that coalition politics meant that only the three main parties are able to dominate politics. This excludes emerging parties. The CRM learnt in its discussions that many people think that the political system no longer serves the country. Many felt that the country needs a new system. This will allow the democratic environment to extend beyond the longstanding coalitions, seen by some as a ‘club’ in which any party or person not affiliated to one of the three parties is excluded and has no hope of ‘getting in’. Two issues are important here: political party funding and which electoral system (FPTP or proportional representation) the country should adopt. Mauritius had not acted on either issue by July 2009. The roles of ethnicity and religion in politics 137. Constitutional democracy 134. Democracy and Political Governance The CRM noted that Mauritius’s diversity is both an asset to, and a challenge for, the country. Two undesirable trends related to the country’s diversity have emerged. These are that politics is being organised along ethnic and religious lines on the one hand and that ethnicity and religion are being politicised on the other. The imperative to win votes meant that religion, ethnicity and politics became fused. The winner-takes-all electoral system encourages candidates to mobilise political support along ethnic and religious lines. Constituency demographics, with different religious and ethnic groups living in enclaves, exacerbates the problem. The CRM discovered that, while government and society understand the undesirable relationship between ethnicity, religion and politics clearly, the country is doing little to address the problem. Electoral campaign practices (code of conduct) 138. The CRM noted that the court decision in the case of Raj Direvium Nagaya Ringadoo (petitioner) v Ashok Kumar Jugnauth (respondent) recognises that the ESC needs to develop and implement a code of conduct for elections in order to eliminate bribery and other forms of undue influence. The CRM also noted that the ESC has not done so. The CRM was unable to meet the ESC to verify the status of a code of conduct, although it asked for a meeting. Local government and decentralisation 139. Rural and urban authorities have equal status in Mauritius. There are five municipalities and four district councils. Each district council has 36 village councils. Each council has a mandate for five years. Elected councillors choose a mayor annually. The local government acts of 1989 and 2003 prescribe the functions of village councils and give details about these forums. 140. Local government in Mauritius has had several successes. The Mauritians, for example, are fully aware of their rights. People pay taxes to municipalities and consequently demand their rights. They include 93