Seven Mauritius MPs Under CCID Probe Over 2024 Election Spending

Nearly a year after Mauritius held its general election on 10 November 2024, questions about whether some candidates broke electoral spending limits remain unanswered. The Central Criminal Investigation Department, known as the CCID, is still investigating seven sitting Members of Parliament over alleged breaches of campaign finance rules.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam confirmed the ongoing investigations in a written parliamentary reply dated 9 December 2025, responding to a question from MP Joe Lesjongard. The seven MPs under scrutiny are Raj Pentiah, Nitin Prayag, Kaviraj Sukon, Kevin Lukeeram, Veronique Leu-Govind, Richard Duval and Roxana Collet.

The investigations stem from eight formal complaints filed in February 2025. According to Ramgoolam, police have already taken statements from the complainants, interviewed a representative from the Electoral Commissioner's Office, and spoken with other relevant individuals. The Electoral Commissioner's Office has also handed over documents requested by investigators.

Separately, nine individuals are reported to have approached the Supreme Court of Mauritius seeking relief under Section 74B of the Representation of the People Act. This provision allows the courts to intervene in disputes related to electoral conduct, including spending violations. The status of those Supreme Court applications has not been fully detailed in the parliamentary response.

What this means: Electoral spending limits exist in Mauritius to ensure a level playing field between candidates regardless of their financial backing. Under the Representation of the People Act, candidates are required to declare all campaign expenses, and exceeding the permitted ceiling can constitute a criminal offence. If the CCID concludes its investigation and finds sufficient evidence, the cases could be referred for prosecution. A conviction could, in theory, lead to a seat being declared vacant. For now, however, all seven MPs remain in their positions while the investigation continues. The fact that probes are still active nearly 13 months after the election reflects the complexity of financial investigations, which typically require the cross-referencing of bank records, invoices and witness testimony. Voters and opposition figures watching the process will be looking for signs of whether the CCID inquiry leads to formal charges or is quietly closed.

Source: ION News