The electoral campaign for the presidential election in Madagascar in 2023 was marked by palpable tension and surprising twists and turns. From October 10 to November 14, the candidates competed hard to convince voters in a turbulent political context.
The first highlight of this campaign was the postponement of the vote for one week, decided by the High Constitutional Court. This follows the evacuation abroad of an opposition candidate, injured during a demonstration in which he was participating. This postponement created a climate of confusion and fueled the tensions already present.
Another controversy arose with the dismissal of the President of the Senate, deemed mentally unfit to exercise his functions. This decision was followed by the election of a close friend of the outgoing president as head of the Senate, thus provoking strong reactions from opponents.
At the same time, the repression of opposition demonstrations intensified, with mass arrests of supporters and deputies. The crackdown sparked outrage and was criticized for its lack of respect for human rights.
Faced with these tensions and an electoral process deemed not very transparent, a group of ten candidates called for a boycott of the vote. They denounce the irregularities and the lack of transparency which mar the entire electoral process.
Despite these controversies, three candidates remained in the running until the end of the electoral campaign. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, originally from the Great South, held a large-scale meeting to close his campaign. Andry Rajoelina, outgoing president, spent the day at his campaign HQ to prepare for the home stretch. Sendrison Raderanirina, the surprise candidate of this election, devoted his afternoon to managing the deployment of his delegates to the polling stations.
Despite calls for a boycott, the vote in the first round of the presidential election is scheduled for Thursday, November 16. The outcome of this election remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the electoral campaign in Madagascar in 2023 will be remembered because of its intensity and its extraordinary character.
In conclusion, the electoral campaign for the presidential election in Madagascar in 2023 was marked by tensions and twists and turns which fueled an already tense political climate. Despite calls for a boycott, voters will go to the polls to decide the country’s future president. The outcome of this election will be decisive for the future of Madagascar and raises many questions.