Port Louis - Mauritian President Kailash Purryag dissolved parliament Monday ahead of national elections on the Indian Ocean island.
“The President of the Republic of Mauritius has proclaimed and declared that parliament be dissolved,” the National Assembly said in a statement.
Mauritius now has up to six months to hold elections, but several political leaders have suggested that polls would be held earlier.
The dissolution follows an election agreement between the Labour Party of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and the key opposition Mouvement Militant Mauricen (MMM) party.
The agreement sets down a deal that should they win, they will submit a bill to amend the constitution to provide for the direct election of the president.
Ramgoolam is expected to want to run for the presidency. Currently the president is elected by parliament.
The other key bloc is a newly formed coalition, the Alliance Lepep, led by former president Anerood Jugnauth.
Sapa-AFP