Title: Presidential election in Madagascar: postponement of the first round envisaged following a request from an opposition candidate injured during demonstrations
Subtitle: Andry Raobelina, Malagasy opposition candidate, calls for the postponement of the first round of the presidential election following his injury during demonstrations.
Introduction :
The first round of the presidential election in Madagascar could be postponed once again following the request of Andry Raobelina, opposition candidate from the collective of 11. Injured in the eye by a fragment of a tear gas grenade during a demonstration , he filed a petition with the High Constitutional Court, invoking a “case of force majeure”. This request, which can be explained by the impossibility for the candidate to set foot on Malagasy soil before a month, provoked numerous reactions.
An opposition candidate forced to request a postponement:
Andry Raobelina, candidate number 7 of the collective of 11, has already filed a first request to this effect, but it was rejected by the High Constitutional Court, which considered that the candidate had voluntarily exposed himself to the risks linked to the demonstrations. However, following two operations in Mauritius, the candidate will not be able to fly for a month, for fear of compromising his health. In an interview with RFI, he confided his fears of seeing his eye explode due to the altitude and pressure.
A request based on a case of force majeure:
Andry Raobelina hopes that this new request will be taken into consideration by the High Constitutional Court, under article 47 of the Malagasy Constitution. This article provides for the possibility of setting new dates for elections in the event of force majeure. The opposition candidate thus intends to obtain official recognition of his case of force majeure, thus justifying the postponement of the first round of the presidential election.
The solidarity of the collective of 11:
The “collective of 11”, bringing together several opposition candidates, expressed its total support for Andry Raobelina’s approach. It also began a new week of peaceful protests in the streets of the capital. This solidarity demonstrates the importance given to the question of respect for the rights of candidates and their physical integrity in the electoral process.
Conclusion :
The postponement of the first round of the presidential election in Madagascar is being considered following the request of Andry Raobelina, an opposition candidate injured during demonstrations. His request, based on a case of force majeure, aims to have the High Constitutional Court recognize his inability to participate in the election due to his injury. The support of the collective of 11 shows the importance given to respecting the physical integrity of candidates in Madagascar’s democratic process.