Two Ex-presidents To Contest Madagascar's Run-off Vote

Antananarivo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Nov, 2018 ) :Two former presidents of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana, came out top in the country's latest election, results showed Saturday, and are set to compete in a run-off next month.

Neither won the 50 percent of votes required for a first-round victory, with Rajoelina on 39.19 percent and Ravalomanana on 35.29 percent, according to final results from the CENI election commission.

The run-off is scheduled for December 19.

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who was running to hold onto power, secured only 8.84 percent of the vote, the commission said, before adding that the turnout at last week's election was 54.

3 percent.

All three candidates, of a total 36, have alleged fraud and malpractice by election authorities, and the result will be subject to fierce legal appeals.

"We have adopted three rules of conduct: transparency, impartiality and independence," CENI president Hery Rakotomanana said as the final results were announced on the Indian Ocean island.

"We have not accepted any orders from anyone in this election... no favours have been given to anyone."Both leading candidates hope to claim a first-round victory through the courts.

Rajoelina on Saturday described the count as not transparent, adding "that will not prevent us from winning."