the fire outbreak that 126 destroyed the office housing the Electoral Commission in Rodrigues on or about 30…
(No. B/7) Mr F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the fire outbreak that 126 destroyed the office housing the Electoral Commission in Rodrigues on or about 30 October 2024, he will – (a) for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, information as to the outcome of the – (i) Police Forensic Investigation carried out, and (ii) property damage assessment report, indicating the actions taken to recover lost data and documents pertaining to electors, and (b) state if consideration will be given for the construction of a new office.
Reply: In regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on 30 October 2024, a fire outbreak was reported in a building located in Port Mathurin, administered by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and housing the Sub-Office of the Electoral Commissioner. According to information obtained from the Office of the Electoral Commissioner, the administrative block, including the Sub-Office of the Electoral Commissioner, was completely destroyed by the fire. All the furniture, office equipment and documents, including forms containing details of all qualified electors in Rodrigues have been destroyed. Police inquiry, in the matter, is ongoing. In order to ensure the smooth running of the National Assembly Elections held on 10 November 2024, with the approval of the Island Chief Executive, the Sub-Office of the Electoral Commissioner was temporarily relocated to an office at the English Bay Youth Centre. As at date, the Sub-Office is operating therefrom. I am further informed by the Office of the Electoral Commissioner that the Office has embarked, since 24 January 2025, on a comprehensive House to House Inquiry exercise for the island of Rodrigues, for the compilation of the Electoral Register for Constituency 21, including filling of a fresh elector’s card for each and every existing elector. As for part (b) of the question, the decision to construct a new building at the site of the fire incident rests with the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS – YEARLY STATISTICS – COUNTER- EXPERTISE CASES