Madagascar held parliamentary elections on Monday in what is being seen as the latest round of a bitter feud between President Andry Rajoelina and his longstanding rival Marc Ravalomanana. Beaten to the top job in December, Ravalomanana has been pushing hard in support of candidates of his TIM (“I Love Madagascar”) party, determined to secure a victory in his rivalry with President Rajoelina.
The two men have dominated politics since the early 2000s, sometimes cooperating but mostly fighting for advantage and high office.
“These elections will define our future for the next five years,” said Rajoelina after voting in the capital Antananarivo.
“The candidates who will be elected MPs have the duty not only to pass laws, but also to represent the aspirations of the people.” Ravalomanana also voted in the capital, and he raised allegations of fraud in the presidential election last December.
“People are less enthusiastic to vote because of the fraud that has already been noted in previous elections,” he said.