Candidates for next July’s election serving in government had to resign by Monday, May 27, 2013.

Presidential candidates for Madagascar’s July 24, 2013 poll now serving in government had until 4 pm local time yesterday, May 27, 2013 to step down, Radio France Internationale, RFI reported. It was not however clear as at the time of going to press how many of the 41 presidential candidates had resigned yesterday.

The deadline fell as the representative of the Southern African Development Community, SADC Envoy to the country, Joachim Chissano, arrived in the capital, Antananarivo, to try to put back Madagascar’s transition on the rails. Madagascar’s electoral law requires presidential candidates serving in government to resign their positions 60 days before Election Day. This ought to have been on May 25, 2013, but the Special Electoral Court adjusted the deadline to yesterday.

Out of the 41 candidates, at least 10 are in principle expected to resign. However, President Rajoelina had already made it clear that he does not intend to step down. According to TVC News, President Rajoelina warned that the spectre of civil war loomed over the Indian Ocean Island if he stepped down too soon before the election. He said there no guarantees that his resignation now will ensure peace in the country. Rajoelina expressed feared over the future of the island nation, saying it was on the path to civil war and promised to do everything possible to prevent it from happening.

So far, three candidates have already stepped down. They are Brigitte Rasamoelina, a member of the Transitional Parliament, Faharo Ratsimbalison, head of the Menabe Region and Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, Minister of Foreign Affairs who resigned, warning it was on condition the presidential election actually held on July 24, 2013.