General elections were held in Mauritius on 23 December 1976. Although the Mauritian Militant Movement won the most seats, a coalition government was formed by the Independence Party and the Mauritian Social Democrat Party. Around 400 candidates representing thirty-one parties contested the election, but only the three aforementioned parties won seats. The voting system involved twenty constituencies on Mauritius, which each elected three members. Two seats were elected by residents of Rodrigues, and eight seats were filled by the "best losers". Voter turnout was 88%.