Mauritius Police have initiated investigations into possible forgery related to the annulled June 2025 board election of the Africa Network Information Centre (AFRINIC). This election was called off due to significant voting irregularities that included allegations of unauthorized voting by representatives of resource holders.
The police confirmed they are looking into two specific cases of forgery linked to the electoral process. This scrutiny underscores the pressing issues of electoral integrity in internet governance, particularly for AFRINIC, which is the regional internet registry serving 54 African countries.
AFRINIC has been grappling with governance and legal challenges in recent years, which have severely impacted its operational capacity. These issues are compounded by the upcoming leadership change, with the newly appointed CEO Mike Silber set to assume his role on January 1, 2027. His leadership will come at a time when contentious governance issues persist, including proposed changes to bylaw processes aimed at enhancing member termination protocols.
The Central CID of the Mauritius Police, tasked with investigating sensitive public interest cases, is conducting a thorough examination of the allegations surrounding the AFRINIC election. The ongoing investigations are critical, as they may affect the future stability and governance of the organization.
