Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court (HCC) has cleared 36 candidates to run for President in the country’s upcoming presidential elections.
The 36 people were cleared after the court received nomination papers from 46 presidential hopefuls. It has published the list on its website.
The Constitutional Court is the body mandated to assess the candidates’ eligibility.
Two former presidents of the country are also part of the final list of people to contest the presidential polls this year.
The elections are slated for November 7. A second round of voting will take place on December 19 in case none of the candidates secures more than 50 percent in the first round.
Incumbent President Heri Rajaonarimampianina is seeking re-election after his 2013 poll victory.
His two predecessors Andry Rajoelina (2009-2014) and Marc Ravalomanana (2002 to 2009) are also in contention.
There were protests a few months ago after the country banned some prominent politicians from contesting the election.
The ban was lifted by President Heri Rajaonarimampianina who then accepted the formation of a “consensus” government to help organize the impending poll.
Madagascar, a former French colony has a population of 25 million. The country has suffered from series of political instability for years.
Source: Africafeeds.com
