Malagasy general election, 2012

Madagascar

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Madagascar

Constitution High Transitional Authority President Andry Rajoelina Prime Minister Omer Beriziky Parliament Senate National Assembly Elections Presidential: 2006, 2012 Parliamentary: 2007, 2012 Political Parties Provinces Regions (Faritra) Foreign relations

Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view · talk · edit

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Madagascar in May 2012,^[1] after previously having been scheduled separately for various dates before finally being merged in May 2011 and postponed to September 2011.^[2]

Presidential elections

The presidential election was last planned to be held on 4 May 2011^[3] before being postponed to September 2011 together with parliamentary elections.^[2][4] After becoming transitional President in March 2009, Andry Rajoelina announced that, within 24 months, there would be a new constitution and elections.^[5] Rajoelina was effectively handed the presidency on 18 March 2009, when the military handed over the executive power that was given to it by President Marc Ravalomanana upon his resignation. Rajoelina, as head of the High Transitional Authority which he had created weeks before Ravalomanana's resignation, is expected to serve as head of state until the next election. He is also the youngest president in the country's history at 34 years of age. The current constitution requires presidential candidates to be a minimum of 40 years of age.^[5] A constitutional referendum was to be held in September 2009, but these plans were then cancelled.^[6]

On 13 May 2009 it was reported that Rajoelina had stated he did not want to run in the presidential election and that he only wanted to lay the groundwork.^[7] According to Rajoelina, he was prepared to accept a proposal from United Nations mediators that no former heads of state run in the election, but only if the other former heads of state also accepted the proposal. On 14 May, Ravalomanana ridiculed the proposal and said that "anyone who is legally eligible to run for president should be allowed to do so".^[8] On 23 May 2009 an agreement was reached that all former presidents would be allowed to stand in the election.^[9]

Rajoelina announced on 12 July 2009 that the election would be held by the end of 2009 to accommodate the demands of international investors (including the EU); this did not take place, however.^[10] In May 2010, they were finally set for 26 November 2010; Rajoelina also announced he would not stand in the elections.^[11] They were then postponed on 14 August 2010, with the new date on 4 May 2011 and then in September 2011.

Parliamentary elections

Parliamentary elections were planned to be held in Madagascar in 2011,^[12] after being postponed from 20 March 2010 and 30 September 2010.^[13][5][14] The newly-installed President Andry Rajoelina has announced that, within 24 months, there will be a new constitution and elections.^[5] Rajoelina was effectively handed the presidency on March 18, 2009, when the military handed over the executive power that was given to it by the elected President Marc Ravalomanana upon his supposed resignation. On March 19, 2009, Rajoelina dissolved the National Assembly of Madagascar and the Senate of Madagascar.^[15][16]

Rajoelina announced on 16 December 2009 that elections would be held in March 2010.^[17] In May, it was finally announced they would be held on 30 September 2010.^[18] On 14 August 2010, they were again postponed to 16 March 2011. Another postponement was announced in January 2011, with no new date specified.^[19] They were finally announced on 3 May 2011 to be held in September 2011 together with presidential elections.^[2]

A compromise deal was reached on 17 September 2011, which would leave Rajoelina as interim president until elections in May 2012, while allowing ousted president Marc Ravalomanana to return from exile and participate in the transition process.^[20] While Ravalomanana will be allowed to return, it is expected that he will be arrested upon returning.^[21]

References

1. ^ http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/2011/10/7/brevesdafrique-188424.asp
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.gabon-tourism.gaboneco.com/show_article.php?IDActu=21742
3. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7104765.html
4. ^ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-03/madagascar-parties-want-sadc-proposal-on-political-crisis-signed-next-week.html.
5. ^ ^{a b c d} "Madagascar president forced out". BBC. 2009-03-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7948196.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
6. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6630005.html
7. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6657160.html
8. ^ "Ousted Madagascar leader counts on region", Sapa-AP (IOL), 15 May 2009.
9. ^ "'Deal' to end Madagascar crisis". BBC News. 23 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8064800.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
10. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6698486.html
11. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hPyXYC11XhM7ERYOuDuoAb_JCOeg
12. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7104765.html
13. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEa-js5MBT4MV1p0YnI2XLIJ1I8g
14. ^ http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-05/madagascar-s-rajoelina-pushes-elections-back-to-may-rfi-says.html
15. ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/03/2009319155324395613.html
16. ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6618115.html
17. ^ "Madagascar leader calls elections". BBC News. 2009-12-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8417512.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-12. 
18. ^ http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hPyXYC11XhM7ERYOuDuoAb_JCOeg
19. ^ http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1610502.php/Madagascar-s-parliamentary-election-postponed
20. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14960572
21. ^ http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78I04M20110919