Madagascar begins voting in runoff presidential election between two former leaders

According to recent news reports, Madagascar has begun voting in a runoff presidential election between two former leaders, Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana. This election is a significant step towards stabilizing the country's political situation, which has been marked by instability and power struggles in recent years.

Andry Rajoelina, who is the current president of Madagascar, is running against Marc Ravalomanana, a former president who was ousted in a military coup in 2009. Ravalomanana has been a strong contender in the election, and his supporters are hoping that he will bring stability and economic growth to the country.

The runoff election is a result of the first round of voting, which took place on November 7, 2023. In that round, Rajoelina won 44.2% of the vote, while Ravalomanana won 35.4%. Since neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election was necessary to determine the winner.

The election is being closely watched by international observers, who are monitoring the process to ensure its fairness and transparency. The African Union, the European Union, and the United States have all sent teams of observers to Madagascar to monitor the election.

The outcome of the election is expected to have significant implications for Madagascar's future, as the country struggles to recover from a prolonged economic crisis and political instability.