Ravalomanana, Rajoelina to face off in Madagascar presidential run off, court rules
Two former Madagascan presidents will square it off in the country’s presidential run-off election next month, the High Constitutional court ruled on Wednesday.
Former president Marc Ravalomanana will face off with Andry Rajoelina, the man who overthrew him in a coup in 2009.
The top court ruled that Ravalomanana got 35.35 percent of the vote in the November first round, behind his successor, Rajoelina, who garnered 39.23 percent.
Current president Hery Rajaonarimampianina got just 8.82 percent, the court said, and will not take part in the second round, due on Dec. 19.
The court rejected his request to have the election cancelled.
Madagascar is hoping for the second peaceful election since upheaval in 2009 when Ravalomanana was forced out of office by protests led by Rajoelina in what the African Union and other international organisations said was a coup.
The court said total voter turnout was 53.95 percent of the registered voters.
