Madagascar's incumbent President Rajoelina reelected for 2nd term amid opposition boycott

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Madagascar's incumbent President Andry Rajoelina won a second term in a presidential election that was largely boycotted by opposition candidates who claimed the poll was "illegitimate and riddled with irregularities."

Rajoelina received 59% of the vote against his two main opponents, former President Marc Ravalomanana, who received 12%, and Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who got 14% of all votes cast in the presidential election held on Nov. 16, according to the results announced by the country's electoral body on Saturday.

Voter turnout in the election was 46% of 11 million registered voters, due to the opposition’s boycott calls.

Thirteen candidates were vying for the top post, including incumbent Rajoelina.

However, a coalition of 10 of the 12 opposition candidates, including former presidents Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Ravalomanana, had called on voters to boycott the election, claiming there was no transparency.

They unsuccessfully called for the electoral process to be suspended.

Madagascar’s constitutional court has nine days to confirm the results announced on Saturday.

On Friday, 11 opposition members issued a joint statement saying they would not recognize the results, claiming the election was "illegitimate and riddled with irregularities."

There had been speculation that Rajoelina’s candidature would be rejected amid controversy that he obtained French citizenship through naturalization in 2014.

However, the High Constitutional Court said after investigations, it was determined that Rajoelin had not lost his Malagasy nationality.

Rajoelin won the last election in Dec. 2018, defeating Ravalomanana in the second round of voting marred by irregularities.

He took power for the first time in 2009, after the military backed him in deposing Ravalomanana.