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Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, alongside his wife Mialy Rajoelina, arrived at a polling station in Ambatobe, Antananarivo, Madagascar, on November 16, 2023, to cast his ballot during the presidential election (Source: REUTERS/Zo Andrianjafy/ File Photo). Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s incumbent president, was officially declared the winner of the November 16 election by the country’s High Constitutional Court. Despite various challenges to provisional results, the court handed him a third term. Florent Rakotoarisoa, the head of the court, announced, “Andry Rajoelina is elected as the president of the republic of Madagascar and is taking his functions as soon as the swearing (in is conducted).” Rajoelina received 58.96% of the votes cast, according to the court.
Challenges to the electoral body’s provisional count, including one from the runner-up, lawmaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, were dismissed by the court. Randrianasoloniaiko received 14.39% of the vote.
The November election was preceded by weeks of protests, with the opposition accusing Rajoelina of creating unfair election conditions. Rajoelina, however, dismissed allegations of unfairness and emphasized that the election was a testament to the political maturity of Madagascar and its people.
Many foreign embassies, including the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union countries, issued a joint statement noting the final results. The U.S. State Department, in a separate statement, expressed serious concerns about the electoral process and emphasized the need to address them for the peace and well-being of the nation.
Overall, Rajoelina’s victory was met with mixed reactions, with tensions amongst the opposition and calls for further action against what they perceive to be a lack of respect for the laws of the land and oppression of the people.
The November election saw a voter turn-out of 46.35%, which was the lowest in the country’s history. Rajoelina, who first came to power in a 2009 coup, has faced criticism and opposition throughout his political career.
In the wake of Rajoelina’s victory, it remains to be seen how his leadership will address the tensions and challenges faced by Madagascar, as the country moves into a new era under his leadership.
