Wed, 17 Nov 2010
Antananarivo- Voting was underway on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on a new constitution being promoted by embattled leader Andry Rajoelina in the face of stiff opposition from his rivals.
Some 7 million Madagascans out of a population of around 20 million are eligible to vote on the new charter, which the opposition fears will strengthen Rajoelina's hand.
Security was tight, after a protest in the capital Antananarivo last week over the referendum turned violent.
Heavily-armed police and soldiers were keeping watch over polling stations and city squares.
On Tuesday, the French embassy in Madagascar warned foreigners by mobile phone text message not to leave their homes for fear of being caught up in possible skirmishes.
The referendum is part of a process to restore constitutional order to the vast impoverished island, 20 months after Rajoelina, then opposition leader, ousted ex-president Marc Ravalomanana with help from the military.
He has since governed Madagascar as the head of an interim authority, refusing to implement an internationally-brokered power- sharing deal.
One of key changes in the new charter is that presidential candidates need only be 35 instead of 40.
If passed it would mean Rajoelina, 36, whom the international community refuses to recognize as leader, could stand in presidential elections scheduled for May 2011.
The leaders of the island's three main opposition factions, representing Ravalomanana and two other former presidents, have urged the electorate to boycott the vote.
Antananarivo- Voting was underway on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on a new constitution being promoted by embattled leader Andry Rajoelina in the face of stiff opposition from his rivals.
Some 7 million Madagascans out of a population of around 20 million are eligible to vote on the new charter, which the opposition fears will strengthen Rajoelina's hand.
Security was tight, after a protest in the capital Antananarivo last week over the referendum turned violent.
Heavily-armed police and soldiers were keeping watch over polling stations and city squares.
On Tuesday, the French embassy in Madagascar warned foreigners by mobile phone text message not to leave their homes for fear of being caught up in possible skirmishes.
The referendum is part of a process to restore constitutional order to the vast impoverished island, 20 months after Rajoelina, then opposition leader, ousted ex-president Marc Ravalomanana with help from the military.
He has since governed Madagascar as the head of an interim authority, refusing to implement an internationally-brokered power- sharing deal.
One of key changes in the new charter is that presidential candidates need only be 35 instead of 40.
If passed it would mean Rajoelina, 36, whom the international community refuses to recognize as leader, could stand in presidential elections scheduled for May 2011.
The leaders of the island's three main opposition factions, representing Ravalomanana and two other former presidents, have urged the electorate to boycott the vote.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.