Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega
Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka,
Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart,
Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of
English common law in certain areas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992) and Vice
President Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992) were elected
for five-year terms by the National Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 27
December 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 27
December 1995) were appointed by the president and are responsible
to the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held on 20 December 1995 (next to be held by December 2000); results - MMM/MLP 65%, MSM/RMM 20%, other 15%; seats - (66 total; 62 elected, 4 appointed) MLP 35, MMM 25, allies of MLP and MMM on Rodrigues Island 2; appointed were Rodrigues Movement 2, Gaetan Duval Party 1, Hizballah 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition: MLP/MMM alliance - Mauritian Labor Party
(MLP), Navin RAMGOOLAM; Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Paul
BERENGER
opposition: Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis
Serge CLAIR; Rodrigues Movement, Nicolas VONMALLY; Gaetan Duval
Party, Gaetan DUVAL; Hizbullah, Imam Mustapha BEEHARRY; Militant
Socialist Movement (MSM); Mauritian Militant Resurgence (MMR)