Municipal Elections 2025 - In Curepipe, 65 Candidates Enter the Arena
Title: Municipal Elections 2025 - In Curepipe, 65 Candidates Enter the Arena
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025 - 1:30 PM
Curepipe, known as the City of Light, is buzzing with activity as 65 candidates – 18 women and 47 men – vie for 20 municipal council seats. The Nomination Day on Saturday, April 5, 2025, unfolded with calmness, discipline, and respect.
Supporters of the Alliance of Change enthusiastically accompanied their candidates across the city's five wards to submit their nominations ahead of the upcoming municipal elections on May 4. The ministerial trio from constituency No. 17 (Curepipe/Midlands) – Richard Duval for Tourism, Ajay Gunness for National Infrastructure, and Michael Sik Yuen for Commerce – was present to rally the candidates.
The air was filled with chants from supporters. Flags waved and banners proudly proclaimed "Let’s Clean Our City," as they chanted in unison: "Four zero, let's clean our city!"
By 9:30 AM, under a brilliant sun, the first candidates from the Alliance of Change arrived at Ward 2, at the Hugh Otter Barry School. Marie-Eleesa Judith Lafolle, just 23 years old and the youngest candidate in Curepipe, arrived with a spark in her eyes, embodying the hopes of those dreaming of transforming their city.
A similar scene unfolded at Floréal State Secondary School (Ward 4), where candidates from the Alliance of Change were accompanied by elected officials from constituency No. 16 (Vacoas/Phoenix), including Joanna Bérenger, Junior Minister of the Environment, and Mahen Gondeea, Minister of Arts and Culture. The rallying cry "Free Curepipe, free Curepipe!" resonated like a hymn under the pristine sky.
In contrast to this partisan enthusiasm, Abdool-Razack Mohamed Maderbocus, an independent candidate, presented his candidacy at St-Jean Bosco School (Ward 3). With a serious demeanor, he pointed out the challenges faced by a city suffocated by its problems, plagued by drug issues. He emphasized the need to reconsider the status of street vendors: "They work to support their families but are constantly harassed by the police." His primary mission is to address the issues related to drainage and infrastructure in Curepipe, which he considers to be in a deplorable state.
Unkept Promises
In Ward 5, candidate Denys Lamy, deputy secretary-general of the Reform Party, urges voters to harshly sanction the current government. "We are not here to sell dreams to people, nor will we act like the Alliance of Change did in November. Everyone voted to remove Jugnauth based on Mr. Moustass and the Internet. We are telling the population to give the government its report card. There were many promises from the Alliance of Change, including capping basic fuel prices at Rs 20, free schools, free transport, among others," he highlights. He denounces that these promises have not been fulfilled, illustrating his point with a yellow paper and a pen.
Elsewhere, in Ward 2, Géraldine Hennequin, candidate for the Ideal Democratic party, explains that this is her second attempt after participating in the general elections of November 2024. She aims to be closer to the citizens. According to her, the goal is to think about how to bring well-being to the city's population, in economic, cultural, or social terms. "There is a willingness to act, and now we need to think about how to realize it. We also have alternatives to propose to the citizens," she states.
At the end of the day, the Returning Officer of Ward 4, Noël Antoine Thomasoo, Chief Legal Secretary at the Forest-Side State Secondary School, reported that everything went smoothly. No incidents were reported, and the nomination process involved only fourteen candidates.
Candidates from Linon Moris Run as Independents
The five candidates from Linon Moris had to present themselves as independents due to the failure to respect gender parity. According to Chris Philippe from Linon Moris, candidate No. 10 (Montagne Longue/Grand Rivière Sud Est) during the general elections, "we are ready, even if we do not have as many candidates. We have put forward solid candidates. We are confident of achieving a very good score." He is running in Ward 3.
Profiles of Aspiring Councillors
In Curepipe, the candidates engaged in the municipal race reflect a diversity of social and professional backgrounds. Chris Philippe, representative of Linon Moris, is an entrepreneur. Within the Alliance of Change, Shakti Dewoo and Mary Anne Philips are both lawyers. Marie-Eleesa Judith Lafolle, also a candidate from the governing alliance, is a professional accountant.
There is also Badoo Chetnarainsing Gowressunkur, better known as Sarjoo, a former football player and coach, and Louis Patrice David Lowine Chou, a mechanic and independent candidate. Danielle Myrtile is running under the banner of the Reform Party and works as a gas station attendant.
Two Former Mayors Are Running
Two former mayors are in the running: Mario Bienvenu, contesting in Ward 4, and Hans Margueritte, candidate in Ward 1. Both have previously held the position of mayor of Curepipe. Hans Margueritte served under the outgoing government and is now running as an independent, aiming to continue the development momentum.
As for Mario Bienvenu, he was mayor of Curepipe from 2012 to 2014 under the banner of the Mauritian Socialist Democratic Movement (MMSD). He is also a former world champion in savate, French boxing.
Shakti Dewoo is launching his candidacy for the first time in Ward 2 under the banner of the Alliance of Change. His father, Shekar Dewoo, was also mayor of Curepipe, representing the Labour Party.
Finally, Torawtee Gokool, a former councillor from the Muvman Liberater, intends to challenge the candidates from the ruling alliance in response to numerous criticisms aimed at the outgoing municipal team. She is participating in this municipal election as an independent candidate.
Michael Sik Yuen: "The State of the City is Deplorable"
Commerce Minister Michael Sik Yuen lamented the state of the city, which he believes has regressed by ten years. He stated that the three ministers from constituency No. 17 are committed to fully supporting the Curepipe municipality in realizing projects and addressing social issues, particularly the drug problem. He expressed confidence that a significant victory is within reach, as the Alliance of Change has fielded candidates who are close to the citizens.
Richard Duval: "It's Fair Game"
"It’s fair game. Nothing malicious! No hard feelings," emphasized Richard Duval, leader of the New Democrats, dismissing rumors of tensions between his party and other components of the Alliance of Change. "We are part of an alliance that won the general elections with a 60-0. Everyone wants to be a candidate, but it’s not easy to please everyone," explained the Minister of Tourism. Richard Duval added that the nomination process went smoothly and cheerfully in Curepipe.
Ajay Gunness: "There Will Be Much Work to Do"
Minister Ajay Gunness did not mince his words regarding the militant platform of Steven Obeegadoo and the MSM, who chose not to participate in this electoral contest. The purple minister also noted that the nomination process went well and that local democracy has been restored. Ajay Gunness conceded that the newly elected municipal officials will have "a lot of work to do."
By the Numbers
- Number of voters: 59,912
- Number of candidates: 65
- Number of female candidates: 18
- Number of male candidates: 47
Parties Involved:
- 20 candidates for the Alliance of Change
- 13 candidates for the Reform Party
- 11 candidates for Ideal Democratic
- 21 independent candidates
