Monsters and Critics
Antananarivo, Madagascar - Politicians in Madagascar have agreed to a postponement of the March 16 parliamentary elections to allow more time to prepare for the poll, according to a newspaper report Monday.
According to the L'Express de Madagascar newspaper, the decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Camille Vital and representatives of the Indian Ocean island's political parties. The discovery of gaps on electoral lists during a constitutional referendum in November was another reason given for the postponement. Another consideration was the rainy season in mid-April which makes many roads impassable and leaves many areas cut off from the rest of the island.
Municipal elections that were due to take place on December 20 were also postponed on 'organisational grounds' with no new date set. Whether the presidential election on May 4 will be affected is not yet clear.
The former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, ousted then-president Marc Ravalomanana in a military coup in March 2009 and swore himself in as transitional president.
Following a constitutional amendment lowering the minimum age of presidential candidates from 40 to 35, the 36-year-old Rojoelina can now run for office.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1610502.php/Madagascar-s-parliamentary-election-postponed
Antananarivo, Madagascar - Politicians in Madagascar have agreed to a postponement of the March 16 parliamentary elections to allow more time to prepare for the poll, according to a newspaper report Monday.
According to the L'Express de Madagascar newspaper, the decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Camille Vital and representatives of the Indian Ocean island's political parties. The discovery of gaps on electoral lists during a constitutional referendum in November was another reason given for the postponement. Another consideration was the rainy season in mid-April which makes many roads impassable and leaves many areas cut off from the rest of the island.
Municipal elections that were due to take place on December 20 were also postponed on 'organisational grounds' with no new date set. Whether the presidential election on May 4 will be affected is not yet clear.
The former mayor of the capital Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, ousted then-president Marc Ravalomanana in a military coup in March 2009 and swore himself in as transitional president.
Following a constitutional amendment lowering the minimum age of presidential candidates from 40 to 35, the 36-year-old Rojoelina can now run for office.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1610502.php/Madagascar-s-parliamentary-election-postponed