The outgoing president of Madagascar is back. According to the electoral commission (Ceni), Andry Rajoelina, who was seeking a second term, won with 58.95% of the votes cast following the vote held on November 16. These results must still be ratified by the High Constitutional Court (HCC), the highest court in the country, responsible for proclaiming the final results no later than December 4. Elected since 2018, Andry Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 thanks to a mutiny driving out former president Marc Ravalomanana. “The Malagasy people have chosen the path of continuity, serenity and stability,” he welcomed the press on Saturday, assuring that the voters had “expressed themselves freely”.
But accusations of irregularities from the opposition have multiplied since the election. “I filed two requests to request the cancellation of the vote and the disqualification of Andry Rajoelina,” opposition candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, 51, told AFP. Accusing the outgoing president of fraud, he added: “He stole. He bought the votes. The Ceni changed the figures. »
A participation rate below 50%
A group of ten opposition candidates, including two former presidents, also denounced “blatant irregularities”. Its members, who refused to campaign, affirmed on Friday that they would not recognize the results of the election. “We will not recognize the results of this illegitimate election, riddled with irregularities, and we decline all responsibility for the political and social instability that could result from it,” they warned in a joint declaration also signed by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko .
The collective called on voters to “consider that these elections do not exist” and not to go to the polls. The participation rate is barely above 46%, down compared to the previous presidential election in 2018. The group of opponents has not indicated at this stage any intention to also take legal action and has not nor called to take to the streets again.