Ramgoolam, the son of the country's first post-independence premier, said he would seek to spread the benefits of economic growth to a wider section of society. The effect of world trade rules on the key textile and sugar industries had been the focus of his campaign.

Some 81.5 percent of voters cast ballots in the election, which also saw Deputy Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, son of the Mauritian President Anerood Jugnauth, lose his seat.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 9, 2005
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