Madagascar Court Confirms Andry Rajoelina’s Election To The Presidency

Madagascar’s Constitutional Court has recently confirmed the re-election of President Andry Rajoelina from the Young Malagasies Determined political party, marking his third term in office. The court declared Rajoelina the winner with 59% of the votes cast.

Background of the Election

The election took place amid significant challenges, including the withdrawal of ten out of thirteen presidential contenders.
Despite their withdrawal, their names remained on the ballot, adding a layer of complexity to an already contentious electoral process.
The opposition parties, critical of Rajoelina’s candidacy for a third term, urged their supporters to abstain from voting, contributing to a historically low voter turnout of 46%.

Court’s Verdict and Rajoelina’s Third Term

Head of the Constitutional Court, Florent Rakotoarisoa, announced Rajoelina’s victory and affirmed that he is elected as the president for a third term.
The court’s decision further fueled the controversy surrounding the election, especially given the concerns about electoral fairness and the opposition’s calls for annulment.

Opposition’s Claims and Court’s Rejections

The opposition raised various concerns, including doubts about the validity of Rajoelina’s candidacy due to his dual French nationality.
Additionally, allegations of unfair electoral conditions were made, accusing Rajoelina of creating an environment that favored his re-election.
Despite these claims, the Constitutional Court rejected the opposition’s bid to annul Rajoelina’s candidacy, setting the stage for the controversial outcome.

Election Results and Political Landscape

Rajoelina emerged victorious, defeating his two closest rivals, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko and ex-President Marc Ravalomanana, who secured 14% and 12% of the votes, respectively.
The competition was marked by weeks of demonstrations and clashes with the police, underscoring the intensity of the political climate in Madagascar.
Rajoelina, however, dismissed the opposition’s allegations, insisting on the fairness of the electoral conditions.