Polling stations opened their doors this Thursday in Madagascar, marking the start of the electoral process aimed at electing the next President of the Republic. With around 11.5 million voters called to the polls, the stakes are high for the country.
However, we can already see that only three candidates out of the thirteen in the running are calling on voters to vote, while the other ten are calling for a boycott. This situation highlights the deep division that reigns within the Malagasy political class, highlighting the tensions and challenges facing the country.
Outgoing President Andry Rajoelina, who is seeking a second term, is one of the candidates in the running. His record is marked by the construction of numerous infrastructures on the island, but it has also been splashed by scandals and controversies. Despite this, he remains confident and claims to be able to win the election in the first round.
Facing him, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, deputy for Tuléar, represents an alternative. He came from the presidential party IRD but distanced himself from this formation. His popularity is reinforced by his commitment to decentralization and the promise to dismantle ineffective anti-corruption bodies.
A third candidate, Sendrison Raderanirina, is a newcomer to politics. Having spent most of his career in France, he returned to the island to contribute to the fight against poverty. Its objective is to place the fundamental needs of citizens at the heart of the State’s concerns.
However, despite the candidates in the running and the political debates in progress, the political crisis which has shaken Madagascar for several months is likely to continue. Calls for a boycott and criticism of the organization of the vote reveal the deep divisions within the country, and it seems unlikely that this election will resolve current political problems.
Ultimately, voter turnout will be a key indicator of the legitimacy of the results. Malagasy voters will have to decide whether they want to get involved in the democratic process or boycott the election in protest. Whatever the outcome, it is crucial that the expectations of Malagasy people in terms of social protection, health and education are taken into account by the leaders who will be elected.
It remains to be seen how this presidential election will unfold and what its consequences will be for the political and social future of Madagascar. The challenges are numerous, but hope remains that the country can find a way out of the crisis and move towards a better future.