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Madagascar elections peaceful, but marred by low turnout and fraud
Real estate news By Mialy Andriamananjara
Thursday, October 4th, 2007
President Ravalomanana's political party, Tiako i Madagasikara (TIM), won a landslide victory in Madagascar this Sunday, capturing 106 out of the 127 available seats despite a meager turnout: 19.42% in Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital. President Ravalomana called for the early elections after dissolving the National Assembly on the grounds it no longer reflected the results of the April referendum that approved President Ravalomanana's new Madagascar Action Plan (MAP), an ambitious strategic road map that aims to lift Madagascar out of poverty.
Although the polls were conducted peacefully, Jentilisa, a blogger who not only witnessed firsthand the dismally low turnout, but also helped count ballots, is concerned irregularities have marred this election. Jentilisa writes that many ballot certifications were signed before the ballot counts were even in. Election officials left election offices early and did not supervise the transfer of ballot certifications to the Ministry of Interior and the High Constitutional Court, increasing the risk the certifications could be altered.
Fitokisana an-jambany fotsiny noho izany raha mahita ny isa eo amin地y tabilao dia lasa mody nefa ny taratasy alefa any amin地y Fitsarana avo momba ny lalam-panorenana sy ny minisiteran地y atitany mety ho hafa mihitsy. Eo izany no fiarovana ny safidy nataon地y tsirairay voalohany indrindra. Miainga eo amin地y biraom-pifidianana ihany. Election officials base their certifications on blind trust only because of their early departure, when certifications being sent to the High Constitutional Court and the Ministry of Interior may contain altogether completely different results. They should protect citizens' votes at this first hand-off.
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