Mauritian Parliament dissolved for elections

The Mauritian parliament was dissolved on 6 October 2014 to pave the way for elections that could lead to changes in the country's constitution. The parliament was dissolved as the ruling Labour party wants to split powers between the president (now a largely ceremonial position) and the Prime Minister and this split requires certain changes in the Constitution.

The National Assembly in a statement said that Mauritian President Kailash Purryag has proclaimed and declared that parliament has been dissolved.

The agreement sets down a deal that whoever wins will submit a bill to amend the constitution to provide for the direct election of the president. Currently the president is elected by parliament.

Now Mauritius has up to six months to hold elections, but several political leaders have suggested that polls will be held earlier. This dissolution follows an election agreement between the Labour Party of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and the key opposition Movement Militant Mauritian party (MMM).