Mauritius Suspends Social Media Until Election Day Amid Security Concerns
Staff Editor Mauritius Imposes Social Media Ban Ahead of Parliamentary Elections
The government of Mauritius has implemented a temporary ban on access to social media websites in the lead-up to the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for November 10. The ban, announced by the national communications regulator, will remain in effect until November 11, the day after the election.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who is seeking a second term in office, faces a critical test as the island nation heads to the polls. The decision to suspend social media access comes in the wake of a wiretapping scandal that has rocked the political landscape.
The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Authority has directed Internet Service Providers to suspend access to social media platforms, citing concerns over illegal postings that potentially threaten national security. This move has been met with mixed reactions from the public and civil society organizations.
The wiretapping scandal, which precipitated this decision, involved leaked recordings of conversations between politicians, business people, and civil society members. Additionally, conversations of five prominent journalists were published online, further intensifying the controversy.
EMTEL, a major network service provider in Mauritius, has confirmed its compliance with the directive, acknowledging the inconvenience to customers while emphasizing the necessity to adhere to regulatory instructions.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement defending the social media suspension as a necessary measure to safeguard national security during this critical period. A crisis committee has been established to manage existing risks and protect the country’s integrity throughout the election process.
As Mauritius navigates this unprecedented restriction on digital communication, the international community watches closely to see how this will impact the upcoming elections and the broader implications for freedom of expression in the island nation.
