First Madagascar poll results show president in front

ANTANANARIVO – First results from Madagascar’s election, in the capital Antananarivo, show incumbent President Marc Ravalomanana well in front of all his rivals, according to an official vote count.

The provisional results from all 412 voting centres in the capital area gave Ravalomanana 70,1 per cent of votes against 10,69 for his nearest challenger, former Prime Minister Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana. Results of Sunday’s voting from other parts of the country were not yet available but Madagascans and foreign observers all expect Ravalomanana, a dairy tycoon, to romp home.Ravalomanana will be elected outright if he takes more than 50 per cent of votes across the world’s fourth biggest island.Otherwise a second round will be held 30 days after full results are published, which is expected by the end of December.The next strongest challenger after Ratsirahonana was Western-educated economist and businessman Herizo Razafimahaleo with 7,4 per cent.Nampa-ReutersResults of Sunday’s voting from other parts of the country were not yet available but Madagascans and foreign observers all expect Ravalomanana, a dairy tycoon, to romp home.Ravalomanana will be elected outright if he takes more than 50 per cent of votes across the world’s fourth biggest island.Otherwise a second round will be held 30 days after full results are published, which is expected by the end of December.The next strongest challenger after Ratsirahonana was Western-educated economist and businessman Herizo Razafimahaleo with 7,4 per cent.Nampa-Reuters