Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-04-09 02:50:00
The deadline for submitting candidacy files for legislative elections is now closed. While waiting for the official list of accepted candidacies, prominent figures in some electoral districts are gearing up for tough battles.
Let the games begin. The deadline for submitting candidacy files has passed. Aspiring members of parliament can now start their electoral campaigns. Currently, the exchanges of punchlines and seductive maneuvers are taking place on social media and various media platforms. Soon, however, the candidates will hit the ground running. Everyone will be putting in extra effort, especially in crucial districts where seats in the National Assembly will be fiercely contested.
The six districts of Antananarivo promise exciting electoral battles ahead. Based on the elections of the past decade, the representation in the capital could boil down to a showdown between the Platform for the Presidential Majority (PMP) and the opposition platform Firaisankina. One represents Andry Rajoelina, the President of the Republic, while the other champions the entity co-chaired by Marc Ravalomanana, former head of state.
This time around, a few independent candidates aim to shake up the status quo in Antananarivo. In the first district of the capital, a fierce competition is expected between the PMP list led by Augustin Andriamananoro, Minister of Communication and Culture, and the Firaisankina list led by Maître Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, the incumbent deputy. However, independent candidate Paolo Raholinarivo, president of the Syndicate of Civil Administrators, aims to mediate the clash between the presidential camp and the opposition platform.
The fourth district of Antananarivo could offer one of the most intense battles in these legislative elections. There is the PMP list, led by candidate Désiré Rafidimanana, and the Firaisankina list headed by Tahiry Ny Rina Randriamasinoro, Secretary-General of the “Tiako i Madagasikara” (TIM) party. However, attention must also be given to the independent list led by the incumbent deputy Paul Bert Rahasimanana, also known as Rossy. Another incumbent deputy from the fourth district, Emilien Ramboasalama, is also running as an independent candidate.
Vonison Andrianjato, former Minister of Communication and current columnist of the media movement “Miara-manonja,” is also in the race in the fourth district. For the fifth district of the capital, the parliamentary representation will see a new face-off between Naivo Raholdina, the vice-president of the lower chamber, leading the PMP list, and the incumbent deputy Andriatsivoafetra Ralambozafimbololona, heading the Firaisankina list.
Besides independents, the platform Collectif des Malagasy, another opposition entity, also intends to play a role in the six districts of Antananarivo and some related constituencies. The party Arema also aims to make its case by fielding candidates in the first, second, and fourth districts of the capital.
Faced with political heavyweights, some candidates rely on their national or local notoriety to carve out a niche in the arena. Journalists Gascar Fenosoa Mandrindrarivony and Harifidy Ramanandraibe, competing in the third and fifth districts of Antananarivo, respectively, exemplify this strategy. Honty Razafitrimo from the band Ambondrona is leading the Collectif des Malagasy list in Ankazobe. This formula is replicated in all constituencies across the country.
The candidates lining up for election have strong national or local reputations, including ministers. This strategy sets the stage for an interesting contest in Toliara I. The PMP list, led by Tinoka Roberto Raharoarilala, Consul General in Reunion, includes Jean de Dieu Maharante, former Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, and Jean Behaja, the incumbent deputy. On the other side, the Firaisankina list, led by Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, the incumbent deputy and former presidential candidate, poses a challenge.
Being a former chief of the region of Atsimo-Andrefana, Colonel Jules Rabe, an independent candidate, aims to disrupt the political hierarchy in Toliara I. Incumbent deputies running as independents and former ministers pursuing the same strategy could thwart the plans of PMP and Firaisankina, who aspire to dominate the institution of Tsimbazaza. This dynamic is evident in Amboasary Atsimo and Tolagnaro.
In this electoral battle, the one in the Fianarantsoa I district will be particularly noteworthy. The PMP list, led by Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, Minister of National Education, will seek to convince other political factions that supported the head of state during the presidential election. These entities, disappointed not to see their favorite candidate wearing the Orange jersey, may be inclined to swim against the current.
In the region of Amoron’i Mania, the PMP may aim to secure victory in Ambatofinandrahana in order to firmly block Christine Razafimanantsoa, the former President of the National Assembly. The former head of the lower chamber, who is once again a candidate in her base to attempt a grand return to Tsimbazaza.
By Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson.
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
