Madagascar’s current leader, Andry Rajoelina, clinched a third term as the electoral body (CENI) announced his lead in a presidential election marked by scant voter turnout and an opposition boycott.
Rajoelina secured 58.9% of the votes, while Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko trailed with 14.4%. The final results, to be declared by the High Constitutional Court within nine days, await validation following the provisional results announced by CENI.
Expressing gratitude, Rajoelina, a 49-year-old entrepreneur and former DJ, asserted, “The Malagasy people have chosen the path of continuity, serenity and stability.”
However, amidst allegations of irregularities and the opposition’s refusal to accept the outcome, tensions escalated.
Hajo Andrianainarivelo, among the disqualified candidates who urged a boycott, cited irregularities such as intimidation of polling officials and misuse of state resources by the ruling party, contentions dismissed by the ruling party.
The electoral process was marred by protests, with clashes between opposition supporters and law enforcement.
The opposition contested Rajoelina’s candidacy, citing his alleged acquisition of French nationality in 2014, which they claimed revoked his Malagasy citizenship and led to unfair election conditions.
Initially, ten out of thirteen cleared candidates sought a postponement, demanding the appointment of independent officials to oversee the electoral body.
Their plea was rejected, leading to their call for a voter boycott, leaving only three candidates actively campaigning.
The election saw a record-low turnout of 46.4%, denounced by the opposition as the country’s lowest in history. Rajoelina’s political journey began with a 2009 coup, followed by leadership of a transitional authority and his re-election in 2018.
