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Elections in Madagascar postponed amidst violence
Africa: Madagascar
Primer on presidential election in Madagascar
(Nov. 16, 2023 — first round; Dec. 20, 2023 - second round)
A presidential election was scheduled to be held in Madagascar on Nov. 9, 2023, with a second round on Dec. 20, 2023 should no one candidate receive an outright majority in the first round. The date of the first round was changed to Nov. 16, 2023 due to an attack on a presidential candidate, although the runoff date has remained the same.
As many as 28 candidates applied to contest the presidency, but a ruling by the High Constitutional Court approved only 13 candidates.
Among the candidates contesting the presidency was Incumbent President Andry Rajoelina who served as president from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2019 to 2023.
President Rajoelina’s grip on power was strong and, as such, he could only be regarded as the favorite in the race. Nevertheless, the president’s candidacy was being opposed by the former president of the Syndicate of Magistrates of Madagascar Fanirisoa Ernaivo who accused Rajoelina of being naturalized French citizen, which would thus invalidate his Malagasy citizenship.
Another possibly wrinkle in Rajoelina’s aim to be re-elected to power was a matter of corruption. In August 2023, Romy Voos Andrianarisoa, the president’s director of the cabinet, was arrested in the United Kingdom on charges of corruption involving a London-based mining company. While she was fired by Rajoelina, the corruption taint would invariably be used by opponents in the election campaign.
Also contesting the election would be Marc Ravalomanana, a former president of Madagascar and the leader of the the political party Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM) or “I Love Madagascar”. Ravalomanana was not the only former president seeking a return to the highest office; Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana was also a candidate for the presidency in 2023. Other candidates included Roland Ratsiraka, the nephew of former President Didier Ratsiraka.
Ahead of the first round, the date for that election round was changed to Nov. 16, 2023 due to pre-election unrest, which included injuries to an opposition candidate — Ravalomanana. In the days leading up to the first round, violent clashes between protesters and police ensued in Madagascar. The unrest and protests have centered on the battle between President Pajoelina and his supporters and opposition leaders and their supporters. Unauthorized rallies by opposition candidates have resulted in bursts of violence, due to altercations with police.
The date for the second round vote on Dec. 20, 2023 remained unchanged.
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