Mauritius votes in poll clouded by phone-tapping scandal

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius: Mauritius voted on Sunday in a close-fought parliamentary election focused on economic and political stability in one of Africa´s most prosperous democracies.

The vote in the Indian Ocean archipelago came on the heels of a historic agreement last month that saw Britain cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius following a long-running dispute.

But incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth´s hopes of an easy re-election on the back of the deal were dealt a blow when secretly recorded phone calls of politicians, diplomats and journalists began to be leaked online last month.

Seeking to keep a lid on the explosive scandal, the authorities announced a social media ban until after the election, before making an embarrassing climbdown in the face of opposition and media outrage.

The move nevertheless added to concerns that Mauritius´s much-vaunted democracy and civil liberties were being gradually eroded.

The battle for control of the 70-seat National Assembly played out between two main blocs -- Jugnauth´s Militant Socialist Movement and its allies, which currently enjoy a majority, and the Alliance of Change led by former prime minister Navin Ramgoolam.

Both camps said they were confident of victory, promising voters they would act to reduce poverty and the cost of living.