In a significant step toward ending its current transition period, Madagascar has announced a provisional timeline for its upcoming pivotal votes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has scheduled a national referendum for June 2027, to be followed by a presidential election in October of the same year.
The announcement came from CENI chairman Thierry Rakotonarivo following the swearing-in of new electoral commissioners at the Supreme Court in Antananarivo. According to Rakotonarivo, a critical first step is the update of the national voter register, which is expected to be completed by April 25, 2027. Technical preparations for these registration updates are slated to begin this June.
This schedule provides the most concrete details yet regarding the government's "Programme for the Refounding of the Republic." The roadmap had previously indicated that the referendum would occur between May and July 2027, while the presidential election would take place between September and November, with a potential second-round runoff in December.
The upcoming October 2027 election will mark the second anniversary of the military's seizure of power. The military intervened after youth-led protests erupted over systemic issues including corruption, widespread poverty, and persistent power outages, leading to the ousting of President Andry Rajoelina.
Despite the announced dates, the path forward remains complex. The timetable is subject to change as the nation enters consultations on political reforms and electoral governance. There are currently calls from various groups to dissolve key institutions, including the parliament, the constitutional court, and the electoral commission itself.
These consultations aim to determine which judicial authorities should handle election disputes and which body is best suited to oversee the voting process. Political analysts suggest that any major restructuring of the electoral system or necessary constitutional amendments could complicate or potentially delay the current timeline.
Reference(s):
Madagascar sets timelines for referendum, presidential election
cgtn.com
