Counting is going on for the October 25, 2013 presidential vote that saw the participation of 33 candidates.
As counting goes on for the October 25, 2013 presidential election in Madagascar, two candidates say they have scored enough votes, qualifying them for the second round, Radio France Internationale, RFI reported yesterday, October 27, 2013.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, CENIT over the weekend announced results from 500 of the over 20,000 polling stations – that is, about 3 per cent of votes. But Dr Jean-Louis Robinson, a former minister who is supported by ex-President Marc Ravalomanana, and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, another former cabinet minister supported by loyalists of Transitional President Andry Rajoelina, said they had secured enough votes for the second round billed for December 20, 2013, along with the parliamentary elections.
There were no exit polls and while partial results are expected to continue trickling in, CENIT has until November 8, 2013 to announce provisional results. There were no initial indications as to how high the turnout was. CENIT Chair, Beatrice Atallah, said early results showed Dr Robinson claiming some 35 per cent of the votes, followed by Rajaonarimampianina at about 5 per cent.
CENIT officials said they received 2,000 scanned copies or 10 per cent of returning sheets by email, but warned that it would take some time for them to be treated before being made public. Observers say it might take about a week to know if there is any outright winner or the two leading candidates out of the 33 in contention to go in for the run off poll.
International observers, including the United Nations, said the polls went on smoothly, in spite of some isolated incidents of violence. EU observers said there were some problems with voter registration and voting materials were missing at some of the 20 000 polling stations. But there were no signs of voter intimidation, they said. Maria Muniz de Urquiza of the EU mission said the conditions were there for a transparent and credible vote, while President Rajoelina said the people's choice should be respected.
