Andry Rajoelina: Madagascar incumbent president re-elected in disputed poll

President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar has been declared the winner of the much-disputed poll, effectively securing a third term in office.

The electoral body (CENI) announced on Saturday the incumbent leader had the most votes in a presidential election marked by a low turnout and boycott by the opposition and its supporters.

Provisional results announced by the electoral umpire showed Rajoelina secured 58.9% of the vote followed by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, a lawmaker, who got 14.4%.

The electoral body said only 46.4% of the voters cast their ballots, with the opposition describing the poll as the lowest turnout in the country’s history.

Speaking after the results were announced, the elated re-elected president said. “The Malagasy people have chosen the path of continuity, serenity and stability.”

The 49-year-old entrepreneur and former DJ added  “I thank the Malagasy people who now refuse to choose the wrong path, who no longer accept to take the path of unrest. Democracy is exercised through elections and not in the streets or through unrest.”

On Friday his opponents had declared they would not accept the results.

The country’s High Constitutional Court is mandated to announce the final eventual winner within nine days after the electoral body declares provisional results.

Opposition demonstrators clashed with police on multiple occasions in the build-up to the election, claiming Rajoelina should not have contested since he acquired French nationality in 2014, which they claim automatically revokes his Malagasy identity, and had created unfair election standards.