https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231013/presidential-election-in-madagascar-postponed-by-one-week-1062754155.html
Presidential Election in Madagascar Postponed by One Week
Presidential Election in Madagascar Postponed by One Week
Sputnik Africa
Presidential elections were initially set to take place in Madagascar on November 9, 2023, with a potential second round on December 20 if needed. A total of... 13.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-13T11:51+0200
2023-10-13T11:51+0200
2023-10-13T11:51+0200
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The original date for the first round of Madagascar's presidential election, November 9, has been postponed to a week later, the High Constitutional Court announced on Thursday, without giving a reason for the change.The runoff election will take place on December 20 as scheduled, however, the election campaign, which officially commenced on Monday, has been extended by one week.According to Soava Andriamarotafika, spokesperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission, the postponement provided authorities with additional time to prepare for the vote. The island nation aims for its third peaceful election since the 2009 upheaval when the then-President Marc Ravalomananawhen was overthrown in a coup.Incumbent President Andry Rajoelina stepped down in early September after his confirmation as a candidate in the upcoming election in accordance with the Madagascar Constitution, which demands that an incumbent who wishes to run for the presidency must first resign from office.On September 9, the Constitutional Court announced the list of 13 candidates approved for the upcoming elections, which includes Rajoelina and two ex-presidents, Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.After President Rajoelina resigned, presidential powers were supposed to be transferred to Herimanana Razafimahefa, the head of the country's Senate, the upper chamber of parliament. However, due to "personal reasons", he declined, according to the country's top court, leaving the task to a "collegial government" led by Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, who is an ally of Rajoelina.Eleven out of the 13 candidates running for presidency have labeled the development as an "institutional coup" carried out to support Rajoelina. The latter, for his part, criticized the opposition candidates for causing a new political crisis "from scratch."The candidates opposing Rajoelina have been holding daily protests in the capital, which police have dispersed with tear gas. The protesters are demanding an overhaul of the electoral commission's leadership and the creation of a court to address election-related disputes.The recent court's ruling follows an appeal from a presidential candidate injured during one of the police-dispersed protest rallies. Andry Raobelina requested a postponement of the vote on the grounds of "force majeure" following his facial injury from tear gas used by the police at a demonstration earlier this month. He subsequently sought medical treatment on the nearby island of Mauritius. The court rejected his appeal, stating that the possibility of harm was anticipated, as the demonstration was not authorized.Rajoelina initially came to power in 2009. He led an opposition movement against the then-president, Ravalomanana, which resulted in a political crisis. Rajoelina was appointed as the President of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar by a military council, a move dubbed as a coup by the international community.He refrained from participating in the 2013 election due to international pressure. However, Rajoelina succeeded in regaining power by winning the 2018 presidential election with 55.66% of the votes.
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madagascar, east africa, president, former president, presidential election, polls, elections
madagascar, east africa, president, former president, presidential election, polls, elections
Presidential Election in Madagascar Postponed by One Week
Presidential elections were initially set to take place in Madagascar on November 9, 2023, with a potential second round on December 20 if needed. A total of 28 individuals submitted applications to campaign for the presidency. Last month, the High Constitutional Court published a decision accepting only 13 candidates.
The original date for the first round of Madagascar's presidential election, November 9, has been postponed to a week later, the High Constitutional Court announced on Thursday, without giving a reason for the change.
"The High Constitutional Court, by virtue of its regulatory power, orders the postponement of the first round of the presidential election to November 16, 2023," the court said in a ruling.
The runoff election will take place on December 20 as scheduled, however, the election campaign, which officially commenced on Monday, has been extended by one week.
According to Soava Andriamarotafika, spokesperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission, the postponement provided authorities with additional time to prepare for the vote.
"This one-week postponement lightens our workload and the pace a little for the first round. We should be able to breathe a little. But it is true that for the second round, we have to pick up the pace a little," the official said.
The island nation aims for its third peaceful election since the 2009 upheaval when the then-President Marc Ravalomananawhen was overthrown in a coup.
Incumbent President Andry Rajoelina
stepped down in early September after his confirmation as a candidate in the upcoming election in accordance with the Madagascar Constitution, which demands that an incumbent who wishes to run for the presidency must first resign from office.
On September 9, the Constitutional Court announced the list of 13 candidates approved for the upcoming elections, which includes Rajoelina and two ex-presidents, Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
After President Rajoelina resigned, presidential powers were supposed to be transferred to Herimanana Razafimahefa, the head of the country's Senate, the upper chamber of parliament. However, due to "personal reasons", he declined, according to the country's top court, leaving the task to a "collegial government" led by Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, who is an ally of Rajoelina.
Eleven out of the 13 candidates running for presidency have labeled the development as an "institutional coup" carried out to support Rajoelina. The latter, for his part, criticized the opposition candidates for causing a new
political crisis "from scratch."
The candidates opposing Rajoelina have been holding daily protests in the capital, which police have dispersed with tear gas. The protesters are demanding an overhaul of the electoral commission's leadership and the creation of a court to address election-related disputes.
The recent court's ruling follows an appeal from a presidential candidate injured during one of the police-dispersed protest rallies. Andry Raobelina requested a postponement of the vote on the grounds of "force majeure" following his facial injury from tear gas used by the police at a demonstration earlier this month. He subsequently sought medical treatment on the nearby island of Mauritius.
The court rejected his appeal, stating that the possibility of harm was anticipated, as the demonstration was not authorized.
Rajoelina initially came to power in 2009. He led an opposition
movement against the then-president, Ravalomanana, which resulted in a political crisis. Rajoelina was appointed as the President of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar by a military council, a move dubbed as a coup by the international community.
He refrained from participating in the 2013 election due to international pressure. However, Rajoelina succeeded in regaining power by winning the 2018 presidential election with 55.66% of the votes.
