Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court made a decisive announcement on Friday, officially declaring incumbent President Andry Rajoelina as the triumphant winner of last month’s election, securing him a third term in office.
The court, having thoroughly examined and dismissed several challenges lodged against the provisional results, revealed that Rajoelina secured an impressive 58.96% of the votes cast. Florent Rakotoarisoa, the head of the High Constitutional Court, stated, “Andry Rajoelina is elected as the president of the republic of Madagascar and is taking his functions as soon as the swearing (is conducted).”
Among the challenges dismissed was one from the runner-up, lawmaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who garnered 14.39% of the vote, according to the court’s findings. Despite the boycott by ten out of thirteen candidates, their names still appeared on the ballot, and they ended up sharing the remaining votes. The court reported a turnout of 46.35%.
The November 16 election was marked by weeks of protests, with the opposition accusing Rajoelina of creating unfair election conditions. In response, Rajoelina dismissed allegations of unfairness, and the army issued warnings against attempts to destabilize the country.
The opposition, describing the election turnout as the lowest in the country’s history, voiced discontent. Hajo Andrianainarivelo, a former minister among the candidates who boycotted the poll, pledged to fight against what he perceived as a lack of respect for the country’s laws and oppression of the people, declaring, “The popular fight begins now.”
Rajoelina, aged 49, initially came to power in a 2009 coup, stepped down in 2014 as the leader of a transitional authority, and reclaimed the presidency after winning the 2018 election.
Crediblenews.ng
