Two former presidents of Madagascar look set to compete in a hotly-contested run-off election in December after partial results on Thursday showed they were frontrunners in the first-round vote. With 80% of the ballots counted from last week’s vote, Andry Rajoelina was on 39.63% and Marc Ravalomanana was on 35.42% – pointing towards a close race for the presidency in the head-to-head second round. Outgoing president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was in third place with eight percent. “Given the results of the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission), the second round is now inevitable,” Madagascan analyst Mahery Lanto Manandafy told AFP.
Under Madagascar’s electoral regulations, the two frontrunners go through to a run-off – scheduled for December 19 – if neither manages to secure more than 50% in the first round.
“But anything is still possible if Rajoelina and Ravalomanana lodge a complaint in the courts,” warned analyst Toavina Ralambomahay.
“Everyone hopes to be elected in the first round because a second-round election will bring huge campaign costs.”
Full Article: Madagascar rivals set for election run-off | News24.
