Article: “Antsirabe: Tensions and concerns at the start of the presidential electoral campaign”
In Antsirabe, Madagascar’s third city, the first days of the electoral campaign for the presidential election were marked by growing tensions between a collective of eleven candidates and the country’s outgoing president. Civil society observers present on the ground feel a certain concern about the evolution of the situation.
The official launch of the electoral campaign on October 10, 2023 was marked by notable confusion. On the one hand, the outgoing president is increasing the number of rallies in the capital and across the country, displaying his determination to run for a second term. On the other hand, the “Collective of 11” candidates continues to protest against the organization of the vote and prefers to stay away from the campaign until a political agreement has been found.
In Antsirabe, this standoff between the two camps raises concerns and complicates the mission of civil society, responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the electoral process. Members of civil society, such as the region’s Human Rights Observatory, are on the front lines monitoring the progress of the campaign. However, their proximity to the outgoing president’s rallies creates confusion among the local population, who sometimes equate them with supporters of the sitting head of state. For safety reasons, some observers prefer to stay at a distance and not come forward publicly for the moment.
Faced with this two-speed campaign, civil society in Antsirabe is struggling to find its place. Raising public awareness of the importance of voting is already perceived as bias in favor of the side that decides to campaign. City authorities denounce any act of bias, seeking to remain neutral and represent the interests of the Malagasy people as a whole. Vonampitiavana Rovaniaina, director of civil society organizations in the region, highlights the difficulties they face: “We must be careful with our words, because some are boycotting the election while others are moving forward in the campaign. We must stay on the side of the people.”
Civil society observers deployed in Antsirabe note unprecedented campaign conditions in the country. Tensions between the different political camps make the task of civil society even more complex. They strive to remain impartial, while seeking to ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
In conclusion, the electoral campaign for the presidential election in Antsirabe in Madagascar is marked by growing tensions between the outgoing president and the collective of eleven candidates. Civil society, responsible for monitoring the electoral process, finds itself facing significant challenges in ensuring a fair and transparent campaign. The situation remains worrying and requires particular attention in order to avoid any excesses or violence during the vote.