President of Madagascar's lower house of parliament National Assembly Christine Razanamahasoa on Thursday called for the suspension of next week's presidential elections amid weeks of regular opposition rallies, media said.
Razanamahasoa told a press conference in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo that the mediation group, which is led by her and aims to resolve political tensions in the country ahead to the elections, "strongly demands that authorities suspend the presidential election scheduled for November 16."
Moreover, she noted that it is necessary to ensure "peace" and "harmony" in the East African state, the outlet revealed.
Commenting on the issue, a spokeswoman for Madagascar's outgoing president Andry Rajoelina, Lova Hasinirina Ranoromaro highlighted that the request was a "far-fetched idea," according to the media.
In addition, the country's Communication and Culture Minister, Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy reportedly said that there were "no reason why the elections shouldn't be held on November 16."
"Suspension" of the polls is not provided for in the state's legislation, any such decision would require government endorsement, the report noted.
On September 9, a total of 13 candidates, including Rajoelina and two ex-presidents of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, were approved to participate in Madagascar's presidential elections.
After Rajoelina resigned to take part in the elections, as the country's constitution states, the presidential powers were supposed to be transferred to Herimanana Razafimahefa, the head of the country's Senate, the upper chamber of parliament. As Razafimahefa declined for "personal reasons," a "collegial government" headed by the state's Prime Minister, Christian Ntsay, who is allegedly an ally of Rajoelina, took over.
This resulted in almost daily unauthorized protests, organized by the opposition candidates, who called the move "institutional coup" that favors Rajoelina. During one of the protests, the police used tear gas that injured Rajoelina's face.
Following the candidate's injury, in October, the country's top court already rescheduled the elections to November 16, which were initially planned for November 9, however, the date for a potential second round on December 20 remained the same.