In the battle for the Malagasy presidential election, marked by tensions and a massive refusal of candidates to participate in the campaign, the role of civil society and its observers is more crucial than ever. By monitoring, reporting and denouncing voting fraud and irregularities, sworn organizations play an essential role in the credibility of elections.
To facilitate monitoring and transmission of information, several mechanisms have been put in place, including the “I-Report” platform. This platform, funded by UNDP, is an early warning and response system deployed to monitor the presidential, municipal and legislative elections of 2023 and 2024 in Madagascar.
Observers from the Safidy election observatory, dressed in gray bibs, are deployed throughout the territory to monitor, annotate and report incidents during the vote. In addition to reporting these incidents to their organization, they also use the I-Report platform to transmit information in real time to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the Transition (Céni), which manages the platform.
This collaboration between the CENI and civil society may seem paradoxical, given recent criticism of the impartiality of the Commission. However, the CENI’s director of communication, education and electoral awareness, Tianahanantsoa Rastimandresy, explains that the platform aims to show collaboration with all stakeholders and provide rapid responses to each incident.
The law requires that the CENI process reports of irregularities and refer the matter to the competent courts in the event of proven findings. At the electoral body’s headquarters, analysts check and cross-check the information reported by observers and decide on actions to take to rectify the reported incidents.
Civil society also plays a vital role by publishing a report after the elections to assess whether responsibilities have been met and whether the law has been respected.
Despite the efforts made, the Céni deplores that many reports of offenses are made mainly on social networks, such as Facebook. The Commission therefore encourages partner civil society organizations to use the I-Report platform so that incidents can receive an adequate response, including sanctions, if necessary.
The Céni also plans to open access to its platform to other organizations, accustomed to reporting offenses on social networks, in order to ensure a regulated framework for reporting information and reacting quickly and effectively.
In conclusion, the collaboration between the CENI and civil society, thanks to the I-Report platform, plays a crucial role in monitoring and denouncing irregularities during the Malagasy elections.. This increased transparency aims to strengthen the credibility of the election and guarantee compliance with the law.