ANTANANARIVO: In a contested presidential election, Madagascar’s incumbent President Andry Rajoelina has secured re-election with 58.95% of the votes cast in the first round, as announced by the election commission on Saturday. However, the poll was significantly marred by a near-total opposition boycott, with nearly all opposition candidates refusing to participate, labeling the election a farce.
The November 16 presidential election saw a turnout of just over 46%, lower than the previous election in 2018. The election commission attributed the decline to the “ambient political climate” and the “manipulation of opinion.”
President Rajoelina, aged 49, expressed gratitude for the support and declared, “The Malagasy people have chosen the path of continuity and stability.” Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 following a mutiny that ousted former President Marc Ravalomanana. Despite facing allegations of corruption and turning a blind eye to the pillage of the country’s natural resources, including rosewood forests, Rajoelina has maintained a political presence.
Out of the 11 million voters, 10 of Rajoelina’s rivals refused to campaign and urged voters to boycott the election. The opposition accused the president of corruption and greed. In response to Rajoelina’s victory, the joint opposition issued a statement saying, “What results? What election?” They declared that they would not recognize the results of the “illegitimate election” and warned of potential political and social instability.
Political Instability in Madagascar
The opposition has not yet confirmed if it will formally contest the result or call for more street demonstrations. In the lead-up to the vote, the opposition, including two former presidents, led frequent protests that were often dispersed by police using tear gas.
Madagascar has experienced political turmoil since June, with reports revealing that Rajoelina acquired French nationality in 2014. According to local law, this should have led to the loss of his Madagascan nationality, challenging his eligibility to lead the country, according to opponents.
The opposition has denounced irregularities in the electoral process, including closed polling stations, a lack of ballot boxes, and the alleged use of state resources by Rajoelina for his campaign. Despite these allegations, Arsene Dama, the president of the national electoral commission, stated that the election took place “in regular and transparent conditions.” However, the opposition has raised questions about Dama’s impartiality.
Eight countries and organizations, including the European Union and the United States, have expressed concern about the “disproportionate use of force” to disperse opposition demonstrations.
