Current:Home > ScamsMadagascar’s main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election-LoTradeCoin
Madagascar’s main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election
View Date:2024-12-23 20:59:36
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — The main opposition candidate in Madagascar said Monday he has filed lawsuits with the country’s highest court seeking to have the results of this month’s national election canceled and incumbent President Andry Rajoelina’s victory declared invalid, claiming fraud.
Rajoelina, 49, was announced Saturday as the winner of the Nov. 16 election with 58.95% of the votes, giving him a third term as leader of the Indian Ocean island.
Rajoelina’s victory was announced by the national electoral commission but needs to be ratified within nine days by the High Constitutional Court.
The runup to the vote saw protests led by a coalition of opposition candidates and the burning of some ballot stations on the eve of election day. Ten of the 12 opposition candidates called for a boycott of the vote, although their names appeared on ballot papers.
Some Rajoelina supporters have claimed they were promised money to vote for him.
Main opposition candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who received the second highest number of votes behind Rajoelina with 14.4%, said he filed the appeals with the High Constitutional Court. He claims the electoral commission “modified” its figures.
Rajoelina, a former radio DJ and mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, first served as president of a transitional government in Madagascar from 2009-2014 following a coup. He was elected in 2019.
He was the only candidate to attend the ceremony announcing the results of the election and sat with 12 empty chairs set aside for the other candidates.
“With me, the Malagasy people have chosen the path of continuity, peace and stability,” Rajoelina said. “I thank the Malagasy people for having demonstrated political maturity and wisdom.”
The election was marked by low turnout, with 46% of people on the electoral register voting.
___
AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Real Housewives of New York City Star’s Pregnancy Reveal Is Not Who We Expected
- Meta’s newest AI model beats some peers. But its amped-up AI agents are confusing Facebook users
- Rihanna Transforms Into Blonde Bombshell With New Hair Look
- Jerrod Carmichael says he wants Dave Chappelle to focus his 'genius' on more than trans jokes
- Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
- Rap artist GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia
- Nebraska lawmakers end session, leaving taxes for later
- California shooting that left 4 dead and earlier killing of 2 cousins are linked, investigators say
- Panel advises Illinois commemorate its role in helping slaves escape the South
- Jared Goff calls Detroit new home, says city can relate to being 'cast aside' like he was
Ranking
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Cavinder twins are back: Haley, Hanna announce return to Miami women's basketball
- Google is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AI
- Review: Henry Cavill's mustache leads the charge in 'Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare'
- Target will be closed on Thanksgiving: Here’s when stores open on Black Friday
- Pregnant Lala Kent Claps Back at Haters Over Naked Selfie
- US deports about 50 Haitians to nation hit with gang violence, ending monthslong pause in flights
- See Josh Hartnett Play Serial Killer Dad in Chilling Trap Movie Trailer Amid His Hollywood Return
Recommendation
-
Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
-
Chicago’s response to migrant influx stirs longstanding frustrations among Black residents
-
Alabama court authorizes executing a man convicted of killing a delivery driver
-
2 more endangered ferrets cloned from animal frozen in the 1980s: Science takes time
-
Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
-
Two arrested in 'draining' scheme involving 4,100 tampered gift cards: What to know about the scam
-
Unfair labor complaint filed against Notre Dame over athletes
-
Reed Sheppard entering NBA draft after one season with Kentucky men's basketball