Madagascar: Top Court postpones first round of presidential polls to Nov. 16

Madagascar’s top Court, Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (HCC), has pushed to Nov. 16 the first round of presidential elections initially slated for Nov. 09.

The Court made the decision Thursday October 12, two days after the electoral campaign kicked off. The institution argued that the move came “by virtue of its regulatory power”, in response to a candidate’s request for “force majeure”.

Andry Raobelina, leader of the opposition ARB party and candidate for the November presidential elections petitioned earlier this week for the electoral process to be postponed per article 47 of the Constitution.

“In the event of the death of a candidate prior to a ballot, or in the event of any other case of force majeure duly recorded by the High Constitutional Court, the election shall be postponed to a new date in accordance with the conditions and procedures to be defined by an organic law,” the article says.

Raobelina, member of a coalition of 11 parties running for the elections against President Andry Rajoelina, has left the country from the Ivato International Airport for medical treatment for an injury he sustained at his eye and leg during an October 02 demonstration dispersed by the police.

The HCC received the petition but rejected the request arguing the candidate took part in the event of his own free will, Anadolu News agency reports.

The Court added that despite his inability, his team can still run the campaign for him. Thirteen candidates including Raobelina and incumbent Andry Rajoelina are running for the presidential polls. The second run is scheduled for December 20.