The presidential elections in Madagascar concluded on Thursday, November 16th, despite a boycott from the opposition, leading to a subdued voter turnout.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse, voting proceeded without major disruptions despite recent protests and a curfew.
However, on Wednesday, authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, following the burning of several polling sites in advance of the presidential election. This measure indicated the tense atmosphere as the nation headed into the polls.
Antananarivo experienced a modest security presence, and it was observed that while areas favoring incumbent President Rajoelina saw people lining up to vote, stations in opposition-held districts were largely deserted, as per Reuters.
Leading up to the elections, ten prominent opposition candidates actively encouraged the electorate to dismiss the polls.
These calls followed almost daily street protests in the capital, where police frequently intervened with tear gas and arrested numerous protestors. Several churches and civic organizations had also requested a postponement.
Roland Ratsiraka, a notable opposition figure, strongly articulated the collective stance of the dissenting candidates earlier in the week, stating, “We appeal to everyone not to vote. Conditions for a transparent presidential election accepted by all have not been met. We do not want to participate in this fraud. It is a joke on Madagascar.”
However, President Rajoelina remained undeterred by such criticism and appeared confident of victory, dismissing the boycott as an attempt to disrupt the election illegally.
“A handful of people tried to prevent citizens from expressing their choice. They have the right not to participate, but the populations have the right and the duty to vote,” Rajoelina commented after voting in the northern Antananarivo district of Atmobe.
The election has been contentious, with Rajoelina’s eligibility for re-election questioned following reports of his French nationality acquired in 2014.
His opponents argue that according to local laws, this should negate his Malagasy nationality and, hence, his presidential qualifications.
Rajoelina has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his French citizenship was purely for his children’s educational prospects, and claimed he had received no official notification of losing his Malagasy nationality.
The country’s highest court ruled in Rajoelina’s favor last month, allowing him to proceed with his bid for another term in office.
The political climate has been further aggravated by a court decision allowing an ally of Rajoelina to temporarily lead the country following his constitutional resignation to seek re-election, which has enraged his challengers.
They also highlight numerous electoral irregularities.
Despite the boycott and the public’s mixed sentiments, Rajoelina has campaigned vigorously, traversing the nation and presenting his developmental achievements.
His campaign has condemned the opposition’s call for a boycott, with Rajoelina’s campaign spokesperson Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy branding it as an attempt to “sabotage” the democratic process.
In Madagascar, grappling with the stark reality that three-fourths of its citizens are mired in poverty, the importance of robust voter participation is paramount as the nation seeks to fortify its political framework.
Yet, according to provisional figures from electoral observers, the opposition has reported that the participation rate could be “the lowest in the entire history of Madagascar,” a claim that the electoral body CENI has yet to confirm or deny.
This election, occurring against the backdrop of Madagascar’s status as the world’s premier vanilla producer and its ongoing battle with enduring poverty, adds yet another layer to the nation’s volatile political history since gaining independence from France in 1960.
