The Supreme Court of Madagascar decreed a delay in the upcoming presidential election by a week, pushing it to November 16th, in an effort to allow ample preparation time in the wake of protests that left two candidates injured. The delay disrupted the original polling timeline, originally set for November 9th, however, should a runoff be necessary, it will proceed unaltered on November 20th as per the judiciary’s verdict.
In the lead up to the election, two contenders representing the opposition, Andry Raobelina and ex-President Marc Ravalomanana, suffered injuries amidst the wave of agitations. Raobelina reported an eye insult resulting from a tear gas grenade, while Ravalomanana’s party claimed he grappled with a leg wound, both incurred during the same protest incidents.
Among the total of thirteen approved candidates, Raobelina and Ravalomanana are vying for victory in the imminent elections. The incumbent President, Andry Rajoelina, is seeking a second term, having served as a transitional head from 2009-2014. His first victory was in 2018, where he emerged as triumphant against Ravalomanana in a runoff. In keeping with the realms of law, Rajoelina, aged 49, voluntarily stepped down from the presidency last month, a necessary prerequisite to contesting an election.
Ravalomanana, along with other contenders, refutes Rajoelina’s eligibility, challenging his citizenship status, a claim vehemently dismissed by Rajoelina, who maintains he’s a bonafide citizen.
Crisis24, a risk management company, forecasts an escalated likelihood of further protests and conflicts ahead of the impending election in Madagascar, a nation home to 28 million inhabitants. The political plight of the country echoes a significant narrative of democracy, power, and human resilience.
