Voting is underway in Madagascar’s presidential run-off poll between two former heads of state. Wednesday’s vote will decide who becomes the country’s next leader.
Andry Rajoelina obtained 39.19 percent of the vote in the first round of voting last month, while Marc Ravalomanana got 35.29 percent.
Because none of the 36 candidates in the first round obtained 50 percent of total votes cast, a runoff was required.
The two face off for the first time since the political turmoil in 2009 forced Ravalomanana from power. Both have said they will accept the runoff’s results.
Ten million registered voters are taking part in Wednesday’s runoff. The World Bank has described Madagascar as one of the world’s poorest nations with more than two-thirds of the population of 25 million living in extreme poverty, while corruption is widespread.
The Head of the #AU Election Observer Mission to #Madagascar, @Lamamra_dz , with his team are observing in one polling station in Antananarivo during today’s 2nd round of the presidentiel election pic.twitter.com/aNjYhypHni
— African Union Peace (@AU_PSD) December 19, 2018
Ravalomanana was President from 2002 to 2009 before he was ousted in a military-backed coup. Rajoelina was installed as President and held power until 2014.
Madagascar election 2nd round: Rajoelina casts vote: Malagasy presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina arrives to cast his vote in a po… https://t.co/2ADMHp93Yx pic.twitter.com/96IHbn0BiF
— Gasy.net (@GasyNet) December 19, 2018
Présidentielle à Madagascar: Ravalomanana vote au second tour: Le candidat à l’élection présidentielle malgache Marc Ravalomanana vote dans un… https://t.co/jnXOaCGnc1 pic.twitter.com/olrFNghIdV
— Gasy.net (@GasyNet) December 19, 2018
The 44-year-old Rajoelina says a young and energetic leader is needed to liberate Madagascar from its economic woes.
“I will build a factory that makes solar panels so that every home will have electricity,” he vowed during a rally on Friday in Miandrivazo in the central part of the country a day after promising 10 helicopters to help a rural southern community combat banditry.
Presidential election day in #Madagascar.
I did my #DUTY.
I hope that #Peace will be preserved during and especially after this important day.
???? ?️ pic.twitter.com/0hOvGjTPAo— Mbolatiana Raveloarimisa (@mboravel) December 19, 2018
On his part, the 69-year-old Ravalomanana, is appealing to voters based on his experience. “You need a competent, mature leader,” he said in a speech in the capital early this month.
Source: Africafeeds.com
