Port Louis - The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Navin Ramgoolam, yesterday conceded defeat in the Indian Ocean island's general election.
"I recognise my party's defeat," he told reporters as the latest tally showed the alliance he heads was being comprehensively beaten by an opposition coalition in the race for 62 seats from 21 constituencies.
Although only seven constituency results have been officially announced from yesterday's ballot - giving Mr Ramgoolam's alliance two seats against the opposition's 19 - running tallies from the rest show a virtual landslide defeat.
The opposition alliance is made up of the Socialist Militant party of a former prime minister, Mr Anerood Jugnauth, and the Militant Movement of Mr Paul Berenger.