Madagascar to hold presidential election in May

Antananarivo, 02 Aug – (ANA) - Madagascar will hold presidential elections on 8 May next year, officials said yesterday as the Indian Ocean island follows a political road map aimed at ending three years of unrest. Madagascar has been in crisis since 2009 when then-opposition leader Andry Rajoelina ousted President Marc Ravalomanana with the support of the army after opposition protests.

Ravalomanana was sentenced in absentia to life in prison for the killings of demonstrators by elite troops in the coup. Beatrice Atallah, president of Madagascar's electoral body, announced the election date in a statement on yesterday and said July 3 had been set aside for a possible run-off in the presidential poll. Parliamentary elections will also take place on July 3, she said. (ANA)

FA/ANA/02 August 2012----------