The primary opposition candidate in Madagascar says he has filed lawsuits with the nation’s highest courtroom in search of to have the outcomes of this month’s nationwide election canceled and incumbent President Andry Rajoelina’s victory declared invalid
BySARAH TETAUD Related Press
November 27, 2023, 11:24 AM
Riot police behind a burning tyre keep watch over anti-election protesters in Antananarivo, Saturday Nov. 11, 2023. Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina is pushing forward with a presidential election, Thursday, Nov. 16 that might give him a 3rd time period, at the same time as opposition protests roil the nation and the vast majority of candidates have introduced a boycott. (AP Picture/Alexander Joe)
The Related Press
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — The primary opposition candidate in Madagascar mentioned Monday he has filed lawsuits with the nation’s highest courtroom in search of to have the outcomes of this month’s nationwide election canceled and incumbent President Andry Rajoelina’s victory declared invalid, claiming fraud.
Rajoelina, 49, was introduced Saturday because the winner of the Nov. 16 election with 58.95% of the votes, giving him a 3rd time period as chief of the Indian Ocean island.
Rajoelina’s victory was introduced by the nationwide electoral fee however must be ratified inside 9 days by the Excessive Constitutional Courtroom.
The runup to the vote noticed protests led by a coalition of opposition candidates and the burning of some poll stations on the eve of election day. Ten of the 12 opposition candidates known as for a boycott of the vote, though their names appeared on poll papers.
Some Rajoelina supporters have claimed they have been promised cash to vote for him.
Major opposition candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who obtained the second highest variety of votes behind Rajoelina with 14.4%, mentioned he filed the appeals with the Excessive Constitutional Courtroom. He claims the electoral fee “modified” its figures.
Rajoelina, a former radio DJ and mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, first served as president of a transitional authorities in Madagascar from 2009-2014 following a coup. He was elected in 2019.
He was the one candidate to attend the ceremony saying the outcomes of the election and sat with 12 empty chairs put aside for the opposite candidates.
“With me, the Malagasy folks have chosen the trail of continuity, peace and stability,” Rajoelina mentioned. “I thank the Malagasy folks for having demonstrated political maturity and knowledge.”
The election was marked by low turnout, with 46% of individuals on the electoral register voting.
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AP Africa information: https://apnews.com/hub/africa