Ratsaramiafara Hanitra, voter in one polling station in Andraharo says “it was not that difficult to use the single ballot as many explanations have already been given before the first turn. The instructions about how to use it were also printed on the back of the ballot itself ; I just had to follow them”.
Photo: O. Rasamimanana
Instructions and informations on the use of the single ballot have also been provided by civil societies funded by the international community. Some candidates also organized information sessions during their campaign. But those sessions were biased. More than explaining and showing the voters how to use the single ballot, the candidates rather used those sessions to incite people to vote for them, showing them precisely which number and which case to cross.
Jean Omer Beriziky, Prime Minister of Consensus begins the process to design his successor by casting his ballot
Elections of last chance General elections in Madagascar are expected to put an end to five years crisis. by Onja Rasamimanana December 20th, 2013. D-day for voters in the island of Madagascar. They return to the polls to choose their president and parliament. After almost 5 years of politicial crisis, the island finally achieved to organize elections which are expected to bring the country back to the constitutional rule, in the international arena and put and put an end to the economic disaster as well. Political unrest erupted in the island in 2009 after former president Ravalomanana had closed TV station of Andry Rajoelina, mayor of the capital city Antananarivo. This led to demonstrations claiming the departure of the president who finally resigned. The mayor and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina assumed power with military backing, becoming then the President of the Transition. Since then, the island has been isolated by the international community and was struggling to get back to constitutional rule. The Independant National Electoral Commission for the Transition, with the support of UNDP in Madagascar held
the first round of presidential elections on october 25, 2013 with 33 candidates. Dr Jean Louis Robinson, candidate of the former President Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, former Finances and Budget Minister, supported by Andry Rajoelina, President of the Transition run the second round. Although the voting rate in this second round decreased from 61, 56% to 50, 74%, voters queued in many polling stations of the capital and the surrounding to exercise their right and contribute to the crisis resolution process. Iloniaina Alain explains : “Voting is a right but also an obligation and it is a way to contribute to national affairs. This is my own way to help to pull my country out of this crisis which lasted already too long”.
Controversial innovation For the first time, Malagasy voters use the single ballot for such important elections. For some voters, this innovation was not that difficult to handle.
IMS – Studienprojekt
For many other voters in several polling stations outside the capital city, there should have been more instruction sessions about the use of the single ballot and this should have started far before the first round of presidential elections.
Elected president and members of parliamentare expected to relieve sufferings of Malagasy people Photo: O. Rasamimanana
After Mrs Attalah Beatrice, president of the CENIT announced the non official results, giving Hery Rajaonarimampianina winner with 53,50% of the votes, Dr Robinson denounced his rival violated the electoral rules as he benefited from the support of the President of Transition. This presidential support is totally contradictory to the article 45 of electoral rule and article 15 of roadmap which state that all head of institutions should remain objective and neutral during the electoral process.
“Malagasy people have no other choice than those two candidates”
“Even if no major difficulties appeared when using the single ballot for the presidential elections, there should have been more explanation sessions. Can you imagine that fifteen days before the voting day of the first round, many of us have not even seen a single ballot, nor knew how to use it? And it became a bit more complex for the parliamentary elections as there were many candidates on the ballot that voters did not know since there were not as many media coverage of the campaign as for the presidential” says Bruno Rakotondrahova, a voter in a polling station along the national road 6 to Antsiranana. More than 1000 international observers from African Union, European Union, Southern African Development Community (SADC), International Organization of Francophony and Carter Center spread all over the country to make sure that the elections were free, credible and transparent. In their preliminary reports, they all agreed that the electoral process run in calm without any major incident that could endanger the elections.
Crisis resolution endangered Late in this evening of december 20th, as the first results from polling stations did not even reach the headquarter of the Independant National Electoral Commission for the Transition (CENIT), each camp already claimed his own victory.
IMS – Studienprojekt
He demanded a recount and submitted 300 requests to the Special Electoral Court (SEC), institution devoted to examine all requests and the only one allowed to give the official results. Besides, the congregation of the major organs of the State, pillar of the administration requested the comparison of polling stations reports to reduce suspiscion and make sure that the elections are really fair and transparent. They even warned to strike in case of frauds. For some citizens, these elections will not end the political impasse as the final duel is still between the proxies for longtime rivals Rajoelina and Ravalomanana, both barred from running. “This election is not a way out of the crisis. It’s even going to be worse as the Malagasy people have no other choice than to choose between the two candidates,” fears Ralandy Jeannine. The official results published by the special electoral court are awaited for january 19.
STATISTICS ABOUT ELECTIONS FIRST ROUND Total number of voters : 7 839 238 Casted votes : 4 826 156 Blank and spoilt ballots : 335 609 Voting rate : 61, 56%
SECOND ROUND Total number of voters : 7 968 321 Casted votes : 4 044 391 Blank and spoilt ballots : 182 166 Voting rate : 50,74%
ELECTORAL INSTITUTIONS Independant National Electoral Commission for the Transition (CENIT) • • • •
Organize and supervise electoral operations Process and publish the preliminary results Enforce electoral legislation in order to have fair, free, transparent and credible elections Mobilize civil society and coordonate activities related to electoral education
Special Electoral Court (SEC)
PHOTO ESSAY
Photo: O. Rasamimanana
• •
Especially implemented for the duration of the Transition and stops existing as soon as official results of parliamentary and presidential elections are published Devoted to rule on the validity of elections Settle electoral disputes
Photo: O. Rasamimanana
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Photo 1: Voters are waiting to enter the polling center to exercise their right Photo 2: A woman awaits her electoral card to be stampled before she votes for the second round
Photo: O. Rasamimanana
Photo 3: International observers endorse the electoral process Websites www.ceni-madagascar.mg www.hcc.gov.mg Online article:http://mygasygirl.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/madagascar-elections-of-last-chance-2/