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Home / Madagascar’s final Presidential poll results out today
Madagascar’s final Presidential poll results out today
2014-01-17Mathias Haufiku "RUNDU - With Madagascar’s final presidential poll results expected to be made public today, President Hifikepunye Pohamba urged the leaders and the people of the island nation to accept the decision of that country’s Special Electoral Court (CES), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said yesterday at a press conference. Pohamba serves as the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. The country’s political scene as been tainted by non-stop violence following the 2009 coup, which eventually led to the expulsion of the Indian Ocean nation from SADC. Following a close to five-year rule by the High Transitional Authority, the Malagasy people will eventually have a constitutionally legitimate president, should Rajaonarimampianina’s victory be confirmed by the CES today. The preliminary results released at the beginning of this month were disputed by most of the candidates, including the leading candidate. “The chairperson of the SADC Organ wishes to urge the leaders and all the people of Madagascar to remain calm and united. Conscious of the fact that the decision by the Court Electorale Speciale (CES) will be in accordance with the electoral laws and constitution of Madagascar and, therefore, a reflection of the will of the people and the fulfillment of their legitimate aspirations for peace and democracy, stability and social economic development, the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation wishes to appeal to the leaders of different political [domains] and all the Malagasy people to accept the decision of the CES. Should there be any disagreement with the CES ruling, it should be channelled through the established legal institutions and by peaceful means,” the minister said. She said this is the moment that the people of Madagascar, the SADC region and the rest of the international community have been waiting for since the conclusion of the second round of the Presidential election held on December 20, 2013. The leaders and all the people of Madagascar are urged to remain calm and united, Nandi-Ndaitwah said, and added that “should there be any disagreement with the CES ruling, it should be channelled through the established legal institutions and by peaceful means.” On behalf of entire SADC community, Pohamba reaffirmed the enduring solidarity with and steadfast support for the people of Madagascar. “SADC looks forward with great enthusiasm, to welcome Madagascar back to the regional SADC family,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah. Last year’s polls, which saw the country’s former finance minister Henry Rajaonarimampianina being declared the winner when the preliminary results were released, were Madagascar’s first elections since the 2009 coup. He won 53.5 percent of the December 20 vote, beating his closest rival, former health minister Jean Louis Robinson, who ended up with 46.5 percent of the vote. Both of them disputed the preliminary results, with Rajaonarimampianina claiming that he scored more votes, while Robinson demanded a recount. Namibian Ambassador Tuliameni Kalomo, is currently in Madagascar monitoring the situation after he was dispatched to Madagascar to head the SADC Liaison Office. By Mathias Haufiku" 2014-01-17Mathias Haufiku
