Revisiting the Meaning of Elections in a Turbulent World

By Nita Chicooree-Mercier

Do elections mean anything? Democracies boast of the right of people to choose who will steer politics for the next five years. Elections might be a farce in semi-democratic countries and authoritarian regimes. Opponents are jailed, intimidated not to run, or simply eliminated. Despite the autocratic ruling style, Tunisian President Kaies is likely to be re-elected. With prominent opponents out of the picture, a similar scenario may play out in Russia. Rigging elections cannot be ruled out in full-fledged democracies competing fiercely to unseat the ruling party.

“Let me remind you that voting does not mean anything nowadays,” a French specialist in American politics stated at a conference years ago. We half-acquiesced. What she meant was that behind-the-scenes powerful industrial and financial lobbies have the final say in policy-making. The Russia-Ukraine war is a glaring example of how elections in a global power like the US can impact lives worldwide. The war kicked off hardly two years after the Democrats took power in 2020, with the Russian president believing that rolling tanks into Kyiv would be a smooth ride. November elections will be a game changer for the Russia-Ukraine war if former US President Trump is re-elected. Withdrawal of support may lower the prices of oil, wheat, and other commodities in the global market, positively impacting billions of lives.

Do elections matter? Certainly. Should democracy be upheld? Definitely. Pic – ABC

While both Democrats and Republicans vow unwavering support for Israel, recent statements from the Biden administration on conditional support appear designed for public consumption ahead of elections. Trump has unequivocally stated his intention to crush Iran’s theocratic regime, the mastermind behind its proxy war against Israel, and to roll out a peace plan for the Middle East, fully implementing the Abraham Accord and activating the newly drafted Cyrus Report, named after the first Persian king who liberated Jews from slavery in Arab countries. A regime change could reshuffle the cards in Western countries, where proxies support radical extremist groups threatening the future of democracy. Thus, on the Middle East issue, there is no difference in policy between the two parties, regardless of the election outcome.

Do elections matter? Certainly. Should democracy be upheld? Definitely. Despite the undemocratic interference of the American CIA and other organizations in foreign elections and their backstage manoeuvers to topple elected leaders for US interests, the US, India, and several other nations are increasingly polarized around elections. This is not merely due to free public opinion but also to intense competition manipulating the public through distorted information and false promises. The showbiz aspect — complete with music, honking cars, trumpets, and chanting slogans — often leads to a binary vision of politics, resembling a thrilling football match between two politicians: Trump vs. Harris, Modi vs. R. Gandhi in Indian elections, and the ongoing Pravind vs. Navin face-off in Mauritius.

The point is not to miss the woods for the trees. Geopolitical strategy in a tense international power struggle cannot be overlooked during elections. Power for the sake of grabbing power, merely to enrich themselves or settle scores with opponents, without bringing anything new to economic development, is futile…

The onus is on the people to see the bigger picture, provided they receive accurate information.

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Sovereignty on Chagos stirs controversy

If you are looking for a reactionary stance on the Chagos issue, look no further than Britain. The British PM, Sir Keir Starmer, is being wrongly blamed for handing over the Chagos islands to Mauritius to fit the ambitions of Communist China. The obsession with Russia and now with China knows no bounds. Conservative nationalists and patriots draw sympathy for defending their culture and country from imported hostile ideologies. This time, however, they are completely off the mark.

Judging from online news outlets, some spokespersons opine that the archipelago’s interests, from environmental preservation to fishing rights, will be better served if left in British hands, who are deemed the rightful owners. This attitude is reminiscent of the BBC’s patronizing lecturing to the Guyanese president about the environmental impact of oil industry development. Such condescension is surprising, especially when we naively believe that the colonial mindset of the British is a relic of the past. Right-wing news channel Sky News in Australia has also expressed outrage over the loss of British Overseas Territories. The decision of the International Court of Justice to acknowledge the legitimate claims of Mauritius and the Chagossian people to the Chagos archipelago is entirely ignored in these outbursts.

What surpasses all of this is Sir Duncan Smith’s speech in the House of Commons. Without batting an eyelid, the MP portrays Mauritius as a country where independent politicians are imprisoned, and a segment of the population is unfairly treated. According to him, Mauritius is unfit to gain sovereignty over the Chagos islands. We are all too familiar with the colonial strategy of driving a wedge in multi-ethnic societies, coupled with rhetoric about the undemocratic governance of former colonies. He suggests that the news was delivered at a strategic moment, just before general elections, to score points for the outgoing ruling party. Most likely.

How disappointing are these rants against the long-overdue sovereignty of Mauritius over the islands!

Regarding human rights abuses, we have expressed concern over the kidnapping and rape of British minor girls by grooming gangs, which British authorities have shoved under the carpet in the name of political correctness. This was utterly irresponsible and immoral. The imprisonment of British patriot Tommy Robinson was another shocking human rights abuse until the court delivered justice and found no reason to keep him behind bars. Not to mention the current Labour Party PM’s decision to free criminals from overcrowded prisons while sending nationalists and patriotic demonstrators to jail. Should we add the two-tier treatment of crowds in police handling of mass protests staged by different groups in the streets of England?

With all respect for Britain and British authorities, we suggest that politicians and media spokespersons leave the empire and the colonies behind and move on. Mauritians have faith in their government’s ability to manage the long-deserved sovereignty over the Chagos islands wisely, benefiting the Chagossians and boosting the future national interests of the Republic of Mauritius as a whole. Let us keep in mind that other powers in the region may frown upon the idea of enhanced geographical and political status for Mauritius.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 11 October 2024