- Voters at AFRINIC’s Election Staff Accused of Detaining Voters Inside Ballot Room’s AGM said they were kept inside the ballot room for almost two hours without explanation
- Lawyers and digital rights groups said this may violate basic civil rights and voter freedom
- AFRINIC has stayed silent, which has led to rising pressure and demands for an independent inquiry
Timeline of events inside the ballot room
During the recent, much lamented board of directors election for AFRINIC in Mauritius, some voters said they were not allowed to leave the ballot room for almost two hours. This report has caused concern about voter rights, clear rules, and fairness during the election process inside the group.
People who were there said the incident happened on the voting day at AFRINIC’s Annual General Meeting. Some witnesses said voters entered the voting room. After that, a group of over 12 people could not leave for almost two hours. The doors had staff near them. Those voters who wanted to go out and vote were told to wait until the voting was over.
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AFRINIC’s response — or lack thereof
Up to now, AFRINIC has not made any official statement about the reports. Local news and civil groups asked many times for a reply, but no one answered. This has made more people worried. Some said that not speaking up shows a lack of responsibility.
People from local civil groups also said the silence was serious. They said it was even more worrying because this happened during an election.
Legal framework and voter rights
According to human rights law, including the African Charter, every person has the right to move freely and to take part in public matters without being forced. If voters were not allowed to leave the room, it could break these basic rights. Some legal experts said that if this is true, it may be seen as keeping people against their will or stopping their movement without a clear reason.
Experts in Mauritius, where AFRINIC is based, also spoke out. They said such actions could go against the country’s own rules. One legal advisor said no private group, not even one running an election, has the right to stop people from moving unless there is a legal reason to do so.
Public outcry and calls for accountability
After the incident, several rights groups, including people from the Internet Governance Forum and local digital networks, made public statements. They all asked for an independent investigation. In their message, they said AFRINIC should start a clear review, work with outside observers, and take action against anyone who broke the rules.As more people speak out, the pressure is growing. Many are now watching to see what AFRINIC will do next. Some want answers soon. People said that if AFRINIC chooses to respond, it could help fix trust. But if the group says nothing, it may harm its image with voters and others in the internet community.
