IRFAN RAHMAN, LE PÈLERIN DE LA DÉMOCRATIE The Mauritian Electoral Commission, created more than sixty years ago, is the oldest in the southern hemisphere. It is chaired by Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman, a loyal servant of democracy. La Commission électorale mauricienne, créée il y a plus de soixante ans, est la plus ancienne de l'hémisphère Sud. Un homme préside cette institution : Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman, fidèle serviteur de la démocratie. BY VIRGINIE LUC PHOTOGRAPH VINCENT LEROUX Today is Sunday. The Port Louis business centre and the building that houses the office of the commission are silent and empty. Only the 4th floor shows signs of life. Prema is placing a basket of flowers there. In his slightly old-fashioned office, distinguished by the presence of a large Mauritian flag standing by the sofa, the Electoral Commissioner gives us a warm, unassuming welcome. During the interview, the six members of his team come one by one into the office. “I didn’t ask them to come because today is a family day. But they all wanted to be here. We form a very closeknit team, motivated by the same passion,” says Irfan Rahman with enthusiasm. He uses “we” more often than “I” when he speaks. THE MAGIC OF THE BALLOT BOX Since his appointment in 1998 to the head of the Electoral Commission, created in 1958 under the British colonial government, Mr Rahman has organised five general elections. “Our role is to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections (general, local and regional), the first condition for any democracy. A legitimate government stems from the ballot boxes and is elected by the people. Voting is a magic tool that ensures the political, and therefore economic, stability of the country,” says the former judge. In his thirty-five plus years of public office, his belief has never wavered: “To serve the voters– all the voters, whatever their ethnicity, in Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga and the Chagos Islands, which, according to our Constitution, is part of the Mauritian Republic”, explains the Commissioner. THE ADULT IS FORGED IN CHILDHOOD Raised in a Muslim family, educated at the De La Salle Catholic school in Port Louis, a child of the independence (he will never forget his emotion when, as a child, he saw the Mauritian flag fly for the very first time on 12 March 1968), studying law at Gray’s Inn in London, UK, a lawyer then a judge, Irfan Rahman is the sum total of an education that taught him tolerance and an open mind. Far from the political scene and economic interests, he is a wise man, recognised for his impartiality, honesty and unfailing commitment. “We have seen governments come and go. Our Commission is the constant, the compass of democracy.” Yet he is the epitome of modesty. “My grandfather taught me that nothing lasts. We are only passing through here. For years he fought for independence alongside the labour party. He was very strict and very early on, he taught me humility and a sense of duty. I am honoured to have this role and will do my utmost to be worthy of it”. UNION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN “We have inherited a remarkable institution that we have managed to develop and make into a model for the African continent and beyond, as we also work in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean on observation and technical support missions to introduce and consolidate democracy. In Cameroon, after long discussions, we set up an independent commission. Also in Afghanistan, where my peers appointed me vice-president of the Afghan commission in 2003. Our dearest wish right now is to create a network of independent commissions in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Irfan Rahman PILGRIM OF DEMOCRACY
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