With just two days remaining for the people of the island country to cast their vote, the countdown to Madagascar election has begun. The frontrunners for the election include former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, who built a milk empire and ruled over Madagascar from 2002 to 2009, former DJ and entrepreneur Andry Rajoelina and President of Madagascar from January 2014 to September 2018 Hery Rajaonarimampianina. Rivals Ravalomanana and Rajoelina were both banned from running for elections during the year 2013.
Almost 10 million people are eligible to choose their leader from a presidential list that entails 36 candidates. If none of the candidates manage to win more than 50% of the votes, a second round of elections will be held on December 19.
As per the data compiled by World Bank, Madagascar, which is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been clouded in political unrest, has. voters rate electricity, jobs and water high on their priority list. It is interesting to note that Madgascar’s election campaigns are among the costliest in the world.
All you need to know about the controversial Madagascar presidential elections 2018
- A few candidates have already expressed concern over the credibility of the Election Commission
- Ravalomanana lived in exile in South Africa after his ouster from office. His return has been shrouded in controversy
- Madagascar government faced backlash in September when it moved to have the publication of a pre presidential opinion poll cancelled,