2018 Mayotte's 1st constituency by-election
18 March 2018 (first round)
25 March 2018 (second round)
Turnout30.39% Decrease11.90% (first round)
41.36% Decrease4.15% (second round)
 
Nominee Ramlati Ali Elad Chakrina Bacar Ali Boto
Party DVG LR DVG
1st round
%		 3,875
36.15% Increase19.31%		 3,493
32.59% Increase15.83%		 1,338
12.48% Decrease3.14%
2nd round
%		 8,246
54.77% Increase4.60%		 6,810
45.23% Decrease4.60%		 Eliminated
 
Nominee Daniel Zaïdani
Party DVD
1st round
%		 1,305
12.17% Decrease1.22%
2nd round
%		 Eliminated
Deputy before election

Ramlati Ali
LREM

 Elected deputy

Ramlati Ali
DVG

A by-election was held in Mayotte's 1st constituency on 18 March 2018, with a second round on 25 March as no candidate secured a majority of votes in the first round. The by-election was called after the Constitutional Council invalidated the election of Ramlati Ali, candidate of the Socialist Party (PS) in the June 2017 legislative elections and member of the La République En Marche group in the National Assembly, on 19 January 2018.

In the second round on 25 March, Ali was re-elected with 54.99% of the vote.

Background

On the evening of 18 June 2017, Elad Chakrina, candidate of The Republicans (LR), was initially declared the winner of the second round of voting in the legislative elections with 50.04% of votes, with 12 votes separating him from his opponent Ramlati Ali, candidate of the Socialist Party (PS). On 19 June, the result was overturned and Ramlati Ali was declared the winner with 50.17% of the vote, defeating Elad Chakrina by a margin of 54 votes.[1][2] Elad Chakrina subsequently announced his intention to file an appeal to the Constitutional Council, alleging electoral fraud, claiming that results reported late in the evening from the commune of Bandraboua were "completely falsified". He also claimed that there were also a number of other irregularities that took place, including that a number of proxy votes cast were fraudulent, problematic electoral rolls, ballots that should have been voided, and ballots cast under the names of deceased individuals.[3]

On 19 January 2018, the constitutional council annulled the election of Ramlati Ali on the basis of several complaints, triggering a by-election within the constituency.[2] The decision noted that 25 fewer signatures were found on the electoral roll than the number of ballots found in the ballot boxes in the communes of Mamoudzou, Acoua, Dzaoudzi, Bandraboua, and Mtsamboro. Members of the polling station in Dzaoudzi attempted to rectify an irregularly cast vote by randomly discarding an envelope from the ballot box before counting began, a procedure considered doubly irregular by the constitutional council. Chakrina also claimed at least 40 proxy votes were irregularly cast in Bandraboua on 9 and 16 June 2017, and provided documents relating into a judicial investigation that had been opened to look into the matter.[4][5]

In addition, Elad Chakrina alleged that Ramlati Ali breached article L. 49 of the electoral code by continuing to conduct her electoral campaign on the Internet through the day of voting, producing three screenshots of a Facebook page of Ramlati Ali's substitute urging people to vote. The constitutional council agreed with this complaint. Chakrina also alleged that Ali's campaign was improperly supported by calls to vote published on 17 June on Ali's Facebook page, among others.[4][5]

A by-election must be held within three months of the invalidation of the election, as stipulated by article L.O. 178 of the electoral code.[6] Although elected as a member of the Socialist Party,[1] Ramlati Ali joined the La République En Marche group in the National Assembly after her election. Following the decision of the constitutional council, the only two remaining members of the La République En Marche group in the National Assembly representing overseas France are Olivier Serva are Stéphane Claireaux.[6]

On 3 February 2018, the first round of the by-election was scheduled for 18 March 2018, with a second round on 25 March should no candidate secure a majority of votes in the first round.[7] Prospective candidates needed to submit declarations of their candidacies between 19 and 23 February. Polling stations will be open from 8:00 to 18:00 EAT.[8]

Candidates and campaign

Incumbent deputy Ramlati Ali, a 56-year-old former mayor of Pamandzi and head of the medicine, psychiatry and rehabilitation department at the Mayotte Hospital Centre (CHM) who joined La République En Marche! after her election in June 2017, presented herself as a candidate.[9] Ali was placed under formal investigation on 13 February 2018, charged with "complicity in electoral fraud". However, no verdict will be rendered in the case until after the by-election.[10] Due to the judicial affair, Ali did not receive the support of La République En Marche in the by-election,[11] and presented her candidacy without the backing of any party.[9] After the second round, La République En Marche announced its support for Ali in the second round without acknowledging the charges against her.[12] Elad Chakrina, a 37-year-old lawyer and municipal councillor from Tsingoni,[9][13] contested the constituency once more under the banner of The Republicans (LR) after his successful appeal.[8] During a three-day visit from 5 to 7 March, LR president Laurent Wauquiez denounced the "abandonment" of Mayotte by Macron,[14] saying that the department was "submerged by illegal immigration".[15] On 15 March, Marine Le Pen, president of the National Front (FN), called upon the Mahorais to vote for the LR candidate; though the party neither officially endorsed nor rejected the support of the FN,[16] several LR personalities rejected the FN's support for Chakrina.[17]

Bacar Ali Boto, first deputy mayor of Mamoudzou, contested the by-election without the support of any party.[18] Daniel Zaïdani, the departmental councillor of Pamandzi and former president of the general council of Mayotte charged for embezzlement of public funds in February 2017,[9] was selected by the Movement for the Development of Mayotte (MDM) as its candidate in the by-election after meeting to reconcile divisions within the party.[19] Abdullah Mikidadi initially stood without the support of any party,[8] but later received the backing of La France Insoumise,[20] with deputy Jean-Hugues Ratenon taking the opportunity to offer his support for Mikidadi on a visit to Mayotte on 22 February,[21] and Member of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee also traveling to the department.[22] Catherine Bihannic was initially announced as the candidate of the Popular Republican Union (UPR), as in June,[8] but was ultimately replaced by Alexandre Alçuyet, with Bihannic becoming substitute.[23] Boina Dinouraini stood again as an independent candidate,[8] and miscellaneous left candidate Bacar Mouta, a youth of the Social Mahorais Party, also contested the by-election.[8]

Large protests erupted across Mayotte in the weeks preceding the by-election, with demonstrations against insecurity, violence, and illegal immigration, especially from neighboring Comoros, paralyzing the department, prompting Minister for Overseas France Annick Girardin to promise reinforcements and to visit after the by-election.[24] Saïd Omar Oili, president of the association of mayors of Mayotte, announced the closure town halls in protest, and warned that the by-election might be threatened by the unrest.[25] Despite the threats by several mayors not to hold the by-election, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux insisted that it would be held regardless.[26] The candidates in the by-election were reluctant to act, unsure how to respond to the protests.[27] On 13 March, the mayors of Mayotte arrived at an "agreement in principle" to hold the by-election after talks with the government and local collectives produced promises to improve security and combat illegal immigration, and unions and collectives agreed to remove roadblocks on the island.[28] Salim Nahouda, general secretary of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) in Mayotte, stated that 13 of 15 measures proposed by the union were accepted by the government.[29]

Trade unions and collectives called to boycott the vote.[30] Although mayors requested the postponement of the by-election due to security concerns and the difficulty of campaigning,[31] the by-election ultimately went ahead, albeit with certain difficulties due to roadblocks, transport issues, padlocked polling stations, and landslides caused by tropical storm Eliakim, all of which caused delays to opening of polling stations in several communes.[32] Police were forced to open one padlocked polling station in Acoua by force.[30] By 10:15, all polling stations were open.[32] In Mtsamboro, two ballot boxes were stolen in the early afternoon, and a few hours later police later took the thieves into custody and recovered the ballot boxes.[33]

Protesters intend to reinstate roadblocks before the second round of the by-election.[34] Although all 73 polling stations of the constituency were operational, several opened late due to obstructions to their entrances. In Acoua, locked doors and damaged locks necessitated police assistance, while three polling stations in Koungou were blocked by glue and soldered scrap metal.[35]

2017 election result

First round results by commune
Second round results by commune
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Ramlati Ali DVG 2,396 16.84 7,992 50.17
Elad Chakrina LR 2,384 16.76 7,938 49.83
Bacar Ali Boto DVG 2,223 15.62
Daniel Zaïdani MDM 1,906 13.40
Youssouf Chihabouddine DVG 944 6.63
Yahaya Moutuidine DIV 803 5.64
Kamel Messaoudi DIV 723 5.08
Bacar Haladi PRG 651 4.58
Saïd Ahamadi DVG 573 4.03
Soihibou Ali-Mansoib FN 438 3.08
Boinali Saïd DVG 371 2.61
Christine Raharijaona LFI 282 1.98
Boina Dinouraini DIV 264 1.86
Saïd Ahamadi Salim DIV 174 1.22
Catherine Bihannic UPR 96 0.67
Votes 14,228 100.00 15,930 100.00
Valid votes 14,228 88.55 15,930 92.21
Blank votes 642 4.00 563 3.26
Null votes 1,197 7.45 783 4.53
Turnout 16,067 42.28 17,276 45.52
Abstentions 21,930 57.72 20,680 54.48
Registered voters 37,997 37,956
Source: Ministry of the Interior, political parties
* Incumbent deputy

2018 by-election result

First round results by commune
Second round results by commune
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % +/– Votes % +/–
Ramlati Ali DVG 3,875 36.15 +19.31 8,246 54.77 +4.60
Elad Chakrina LR 3,493 32.59 +15.83 6,810 45.23 –4.60
Bacar Ali Boto DVG 1,338 12.48 –3.14
Daniel Zaïdani MDM 1,305 12.17 –1.22
Abdullah Mikidadi LFI 280 2.61 +0.63
Alexandre Alçuyet UPR 189 1.76 +1.09
Bacar Mouta DVG 178 1.66 +1.66
Boina Dinouraini DIV 61 0.57 –1.29
Votes 10,719 100.00 – 15,056 100.00 –
Valid votes 10,719 90.52 +1.97 15,056 93.89 +1.69
Blank votes 460 3.88 –0.11 381 2.38 –0.88
Null votes 662 5.59 –1.86 598 3.73 –0.80
Turnout 11,841 30.39 –11.90 16,035 41.36 –4.15
Abstentions 27,127 69.61 +11.90 22,733 58.64 +4.15
Registered voters 38,968 38,768
Source (1st round): Préfecture de Mayotte, Ministère de l'Intérieur
Source (2nd round): Préfecture de Mayotte, Ministère de l'Intérieur

References

  1. 1 2 David Ponchelet (19 June 2017). "Législatives : la préfecture de Mayotte annonce finalement l'élection de Ramlati Ali (PS) dans la première circonscription!". Outre-Mer 1ère. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 "L'élection de la députée de Mayotte Ramlati Ali annulée". L'Express. Agence France-Presse. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mayotte : l'ex-député LR évincé, Elad Chakrina va saisir le conseil constitutionnel". Outre-Mer 1ère. Agence France-Presse. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Décision n° 2017-5126 AN du 19 janvier 2018". Conseil constitutionnel. 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Le Conseil constitutionnel confirme l'élection de trois députés et invalide celle de Ramlati Ali". Le Monde. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 David Ponchelet (19 January 2018). "Le Conseil Constitutionnel annule l'élection de la députée de Mayotte Ramlati Ali". Outre-Mer 1ère. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Décret n° 2018-59 du 2 février 2018 portant convocation des électeurs pour l'élection d'un député à l'Assemblée nationale (1re circonscription de Mayotte)". Légifrance. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Andry Rakotondravola (7 February 2018). "L'élection de la députée Ramlati Ali annulée. Des partielles organisées en mars. Avec quelles règles ?". Mayotte 1ère. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Huit candidats pour une législative partielle incertaine à Mayotte [ENCADRE]". Outre-Mer 1ère. Agence France-Presse. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "Mayotte : l'ex-députée LREM Ramlati Ali mise en examen pour complicité de fraude électorale". franceinfo. Agence France-Presse. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  11. ↑ Manon Rescan; Abel Mestre (9 March 2018). "Des législatives partielles compliquées pour La République en marche". Le Monde. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  12. ↑ "Mayotte : La République En Marche apporte son soutien à Ramlati Ali pour le second tour". Outre-Mer La 1ère. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  13. ↑ Geoffroy Clavel (15 March 2018). "Pour la première fois, Marine Le Pen appelle à voter LR dès le premier tour". Le HuffPost. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  14. ↑ Marguerite Lefebvre (6 March 2018). ""Mayotte est devenue une zone de non droit"". Europe 1. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  15. ↑ François Quivoron (5 March 2018). "Mayotte : Laurent Wauquiez dénonce l'abandon d'Emmanuel Macron". RTL. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  16. ↑ Olivier Faye; Lucie Soullier (15 March 2018). "Législative partielle à Mayotte : Marine Le Pen appelle à voter pour le candidat des Républicains". Le Monde. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  17. ↑ Jules Pecnard; Marion Mourgue (16 March 2018). "Législative partielle à Mayotte : la droite rejette le soutien du FN". Le Figaro. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "Bacar Ali Boto officiellement candidat". Le Journal de Mayotte. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  19. ↑ Chafika Salim Moukou (4 February 2018). "Législatives partielles, le MDM retrouve son unité et soutient Daniel Zaïdani". Mayotte 1ère. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  20. ↑ "Législatives partielles : les candidats de la France insoumise". La France Insoumise. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  21. ↑ Jean-Hugues Ratenon (21 February 2018). "Jean-Hugues Ratenon va visiter Mayotte". Imaz Press Réunion. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  22. ↑ "Mayotte : Jean-Hugues Ratenon et Younous Omarjee réagissent à la situation". LINFO.re. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "Arrêté fixant la liste des candidats au 1er tour de l'élection législative partielle" (PDF). Préfecture de Mayotte. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  24. ↑ "Les routes toujours paralysées à Mayotte, où les habitants dénoncent l'insécurité". France Inter. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  25. ↑ "Les mairies de Mayotte fermées à partir de lundi en signe de protestation". Outre-Mer 1ère. Agence France-Presse. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  26. ↑ "Nouvelle manifestation contre l'insécurité à Mayotte [Synthèse]". Outre-Mer 1ère. Agence France-Presse. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  27. ↑ Chamsudine Ali (11 March 2018). "Grève générale à Mayotte : le gouvernement face à une crise aux enjeux multiples". Mayotte 1ère. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  28. ↑ "Mayotte : les maires organiseront la législative partielle de dimanche". Europe 1. Agence France-Presse. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  29. ↑ "Crise à Mayotte : un "accord de principe" trouvé entre les manifestants et la ministre, l'intersyndicale va proposer la levée des barrages". franceinfo. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  30. 1 2 Cécile Baquey (18 March 2018). "Election législative partielle : vote sous tension à Mayotte". Outre-Mer 1ère. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  31. ↑ "Mayotte : les élus demandent le report de la législative partielle". Europe 1. Agence France-Presse. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  32. 1 2 Patrick Roger (18 March 2018). "A Mayotte, le défi d'une législative partielle en plein mouvement de blocages". Le Monde. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  33. ↑ "Législative à Mayotte : des tensions et une participation très faible". 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  34. ↑ "Mayotte : levée temporaire des barrages samedi". Outre-Mer la 1ère. Agence France-Presse. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  35. ↑ "Les électeurs mahorais appelés aux urnes pour le second tour de la législative partielle". Le Monde. Agence France-Presse. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
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