The political class, all tendencies combined, institutions, the diplomatic corps and civil society were represented at the Novotel Ivandry. In terms of representativeness, the CENI has succeeded in its bet with regard to multi-stakeholder consultation on the elections.
A tour de force. In the current environment, the performance deserves to be underlined. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), managed to bring together in the same place in a relatively peaceful atmosphere all the political tendencies, yesterday. This within the framework of multi-actor consultation on electoral processes, especially the presidential one, at the Novotel, Ivadry. The event was broadcast live on public television TVM until 5 p.m. This influx was not won in advance after opposition entities slammed the door of the technical meeting on the audit of the electoral list on Monday. The heads of the parliamentary institutions, and Florent Rakotoarisoa, president of the High Constitutional Court (HCC), were there. The Presidency of the Republic was also represented.
The government, which dispatched three ministers, including its two spokespersons, namely Pierre Holder Ramaholimasy, Minister for Regional Planning, and Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy Andriatongarivo, Minister for Communication and Culture, with Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, Minister for National Education. The opposition also had a strong representation, with Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, former presidents of the Republic, as figureheads. In the category of former Heads of State, Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana was present at Ivandry as well as probable presidential hopefuls such as Hajo Andrianainarivelo, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, August Paraina, or Roland Ratsiraka. Even the “Mpitolona ho an’ny fandrosoan’i Madagasikara” (MFM) party, which shouted out loud that they would boycott the event, was indeed present.
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As Olivier Rakotovazaha, leader of the MFM, recognizes, the appeal to all electoral actors to take part, launched by the Ecumenical Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar (FFKM), has put pressure on them. A beneficial boost for the CENI. This explains why its president hand-delivered the invitation to the FFKM. The four heads of the churches within the FFKM all answered present, precisely. So do dignitaries of other faiths and traditional authorities. The great mass of the electoral actors yesterday made it possible to see rare scenes. Like the discussion between the two former allies, Marc Ravalomanana and Jean André Soja, says Kaleta, special adviser to the current President of the Republic for political affairs, under the gaze of Minister Sahondrarimalala. The meeting took place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. “The success of the electoral process in a climate of peace depends on everyone”, declared Andrianarisedo Retaf Arsène Dama, president of the CENI. He is delighted that the stakeholders responded massively to the invitation of the Electoral Commission and emphasizes the attachment “to the values of dialogue”. Underlined from the outset, the consultation framework did not lead to a resolution.
Above all, the event gave a platform to all those who had things to say about the preparations for the election. For the CENI, it was a question of demonstrating its good faith and its will to organize credible, transparent and inclusive elections. Same for HCC. The government has assured loud and clear that the race for the supreme magistracy will be held this year. At the end of the opening speech by the President of the CENI, it was Pastor Ammi Irako Andriamahazosoa, President of the FFKM, who opened the waltz of speeches.
“(…) I would be surprised if we Madagascans do not manage to find a solution to our problems in a spirit of truth. Since only the truth will allow us to save our nation”, he argues. A brief speech under the seal of appeasement. Which probably inhibited the enthusiasm of some. Also, former presidents Ravalomanana and Rajaonarimampianina also held speeches of appeasement. “I’m happy because it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. I hope it will lead us to elections accepted by all. (…) I was asked earlier if I had confidence in the CENI. Yes, I trust him,” says the resident of Faravohitra, among other things. However, he denounced the “obstructions and bans on political meetings”. That of Tsimbazaza also calls for appeasement and “respect for the Constitution”.
Furthermore, Hery Rajaonarimampianina asks everyone to “silence the egos for the benefit of the higher interest of the nation”. Words to introduce the statement that was to come, obviously. If the leaders held their blows, their lieutenants were cash. Representatives of a new entity posing as the Group of Five (G5), which includes the parties of the two former Heads of State, read a statement affirming the rejection of the CENI in its current form and arguing that “the only solution is national consultation”.