AFRINIC
AFRINIC’s new September election contravenes multiple laws and bylaws
AFRINIC’s delayed election faces legal challenges, with observers warning the vote may violate the organisation’s constitution and law.
Headline
AFRINIC’s delayed election faces legal challenges, with observers warning the vote may violate the organisation’s constitution and law.
Context
Following disputed elections held on 23 June 2025, Gowtamsingh Dabee, the court-appointed receiver overseeing the governance of AFRINIC (African Network Information Centre), annulled the results amid allegations of irregularities—particularly regarding the use of Powers of Attorney (POAs). In a widely circulated email, DABEE announced that he had sought and received an extension of his mandate from the Supreme Court of Mauritius to organise new elections by 30 September 2025. The announcement included sweeping changes to AFRINIC’s election process: banning proxies and POAs, enforcing online-only voting, and establishing a new Nominations Committee (NomCom) with regional representatives.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
However, the legality and practicality of holding such elections under these revised rules are now under serious question. Observers and stakeholders have raised multiple concerns over whether this process is even possible within the framework of AFRINIC’s constitution and Mauritian company law. Also read: EXPOSED: The letter that reveals who was really benefitting from AFRINIC’s lawsuits Also read: Is the AFRINIC election process compliant with Mauritian corporate law? When DABEE was initially appointed receiver, the court mandated that the election of AFRINIC’s directors be completed on or before 30 June 2025 and strictly “in accordance with AFRINIC’s constitution.” Extending the deadline to 30 September, particularly without wide consultation or transparent court documentation, has prompted questions about whether this exceeds the receiver’s legal authority. The stakeholders unclear on whether DABEE’s mandate remains valid past June. Without firm legal grounding, any election process he oversees may be vulnerable to legal challenge—or annulment.
Key Points
- AFRINIC’s court-appointed receiver postponed elections to 30 September 2025, but legal authority for the extension remains unclear.
- Proposed changes to voting procedures appear to violate AFRINIC’s bylaws and Mauritian company law.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
