Malagasy constitutional referendum, 2010
Encyclopedia
A constitutional referendum was held in Madagascar
on 17 November 2010, in which voters approved a proposal for the state's fourth Constitution
. The Malagasy people were asked to answer "Yes" or "No" to the proposed new constitution, which was considered to help consolidate Andry Rajoelina
's grip on power. Rajoelina heads the governing Highest Transitional Authority
(HAT), an interim junta
established following the military-backed coup d'état against then President Marc Ravalomanana
in March 2009.
. He then scheduled the referendum over a new constitution.
The plebiscite was seen as a test of confidence in Rajoelina and a key element by him to legitimise his government.
The next presidential election is scheduled to be held in September 2011 (originally May 2011). Rajoelina has declared he has no intention of contesting the election. However, an amendment in the new constitution will lower the eligibility age to run for president from 40 to 35 years, allowing the 36-year-old Rajoelina to stand should he choose.
The proposed constitution also contains a clause that requires presidential candidates to have lived in Madagascar for at least six months prior to the elections, effectively barring Ravalomanana and other opposition leaders living in exile from running in the election.
, AREMA
, and AVI
, each headed by a former president, called for a boycott of the election. The boycotts came in protest over Rajoelina's refusal to form a power-sharing government in accordance with a pact drawn up and signed by Rajoelina himself in August 2010. They also criticised the change of electoral rules in the middle of the voting process.
Regional organisations, most prominently the African Union
and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), criticised the lack of inclusivity in the HAT's transition process, and have demanded a return to negotiations.
The day before the poll there were minor disturbances in the capital Antananarivo.
to encourage voters to go to the polls.
The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) reported a low voter turn-out, which officials attributed to multiple errors on the electoral list that omitted almost half of previously registered voters. After receiving complaints about this from voters, the executive closed the polls at 18:00 instead of 16:00, resulting in an increase of the number of voters in the afternoon.
After 99% of votes were cast, 74.13% approved the ballot with a turnout of 53%.
The new constitution was promulgated on 11 December 2010, starting the Fourth Republic of Madagascar.
as well as the country's main airport
. They said all government institutions had been suspended and a military council would govern. They demanded the release of all political prisoners and the return of all leaders in exile, among them Ravalomanana.
The military leadership vowed to crush any rebellion, as Andrianazary, a military police general, was reported to have said he would not intervene "if there is a mutiny...[because] we cannot negotiate with someone who mutinies." The whereabouts of Rajoelina were not known, though the referendum votes appeared to be continuing.
The following day, the army chief, General Andre Ndriarijoana, met the rebellious soldiers, however no conclusive statement was made. Security forces also fired teargas to disperse crowds near the area. Three days after the coup, security forces attacked the base, and, following a brief firefight, the rebel soldiers surrendered.
The military had seen rifts within after the 2009 coup and scrapping of the old constitution. Additionally, Rajoelina's inability to consolidate leadership and end leadership had allegedly seen his popularity diminish.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
on 17 November 2010, in which voters approved a proposal for the state's fourth Constitution
Constitution of Madagascar
The constitution of Madagascar was adopted on 19 August 1992 after the first free elections in 17 years of single party rule.On November 22, 2010, the electoral commission of Madagascar announced that a new constitution had been endorsed in a referendum by 74 percent of voters. It put voter turnout...
. The Malagasy people were asked to answer "Yes" or "No" to the proposed new constitution, which was considered to help consolidate Andry Rajoelina
Andry Rajoelina
Andry Nirina Rajoelina , born May 30 1974, is the former mayor of Antananarivo who became transitional head of state of Madagascar on March 21, 2009 after the 2009 Malagasy political crisis....
's grip on power. Rajoelina heads the governing Highest Transitional Authority
High Transitional Authority
The High Transitional Authority is a provisional executive body that came to power in Madagascar following the coup that forced Marc Ravalomanana to leave the country on March 17, 2009 as a result of the 2009 Malagasy protests...
(HAT), an interim junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
established following the military-backed coup d'état against then President Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group, Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002...
in March 2009.
Background
Rajoelina was inaugurated as transitional president on 17 March 2009 following a military-backed coup led by Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina against Marc RavalomananaMarc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group, Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002...
. He then scheduled the referendum over a new constitution.
The plebiscite was seen as a test of confidence in Rajoelina and a key element by him to legitimise his government.
Scheduled date
The date was initially set for September 2009, with presidential elections in October 2010. This was later postponed to October 2009 before being cancelled. Then, a new referendum was set for 12 August 2010; on 29 June 2010, however, the referendum was indefinitely postponed yet again. Finally, on 14 August, a new date of 17 November was announced.New constitution
One change in the new constitution sought to keep the leader of the HAT (a position held by Rajoelina) as interim president until an election could take place. Analysts said this could allow Rajoelina to remain in power indefinitely, "because he's set no date for stepping down, nor spelled out conditions for the next elections."The next presidential election is scheduled to be held in September 2011 (originally May 2011). Rajoelina has declared he has no intention of contesting the election. However, an amendment in the new constitution will lower the eligibility age to run for president from 40 to 35 years, allowing the 36-year-old Rajoelina to stand should he choose.
The proposed constitution also contains a clause that requires presidential candidates to have lived in Madagascar for at least six months prior to the elections, effectively barring Ravalomanana and other opposition leaders living in exile from running in the election.
Controversy
Madagascar's three main political parties: Tiako i MadagasikaraTiako I Madagasikara
Tiako I Madagasikara is a political party in Madagascar founded by a group of individuals on July 3, 2002 to support President Marc Ravalomanana. It is now the largest party in the National Assembly of Madagascar with 106 of 127 seats, after the parliamentary election held on September 23, 2007....
, AREMA
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar
The Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or Pillar and Structure for the Salvation of Madagascar is a political party in Madagascar.*National secretary: Pierrot Rajaonarivelo...
, and AVI
Judged By Your Work Party
Judged By Your Work Party is a political party in Madagascar.The AVI backed Marc Ravalomanana, the opposition candidate in the disputed December 2001 presidential election, and after Ravalomanana became President, the AVI joined the government...
, each headed by a former president, called for a boycott of the election. The boycotts came in protest over Rajoelina's refusal to form a power-sharing government in accordance with a pact drawn up and signed by Rajoelina himself in August 2010. They also criticised the change of electoral rules in the middle of the voting process.
Regional organisations, most prominently the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), criticised the lack of inclusivity in the HAT's transition process, and have demanded a return to negotiations.
The day before the poll there were minor disturbances in the capital Antananarivo.
Referendum
Just over 7 million people (7,051,809) in total were registered to vote. During the voting process, the government also decided to "soften regulations" for young people who had reached the voting age but were not yet registered on the electoral roll. The day was declared a public holidayPublic holiday
A public holiday, national holiday or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year....
to encourage voters to go to the polls.
The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) reported a low voter turn-out, which officials attributed to multiple errors on the electoral list that omitted almost half of previously registered voters. After receiving complaints about this from voters, the executive closed the polls at 18:00 instead of 16:00, resulting in an increase of the number of voters in the afternoon.
After 99% of votes were cast, 74.13% approved the ballot with a turnout of 53%.
The new constitution was promulgated on 11 December 2010, starting the Fourth Republic of Madagascar.
Coup attempt
On election day, reports indicated that 21 military officers had taken control of the country. Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina, who had also backed the previous coup that brought Rajoelina to power, was the lead colonel who made the declaration saying the government had been dissolved. He was also joined by the presidential head of security. Andrianasoavina later said that he planned to seize the presidential palaceAmbohitsorohitra Palace
The Ambohitsorohitra Palace is a presidential palace in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo. It has only a symbolic role and is not a residence of the president.-Political events:...
as well as the country's main airport
Ivato Airport
Ivato International Airport is an airport located in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.-Airport expansion:In view of the African Union Summit of 2009 and the planned but later cancelled Francophonie Summit of 2010 being held in Madagascar, Ivato airport will begin renovations that will last...
. They said all government institutions had been suspended and a military council would govern. They demanded the release of all political prisoners and the return of all leaders in exile, among them Ravalomanana.
The military leadership vowed to crush any rebellion, as Andrianazary, a military police general, was reported to have said he would not intervene "if there is a mutiny...[because] we cannot negotiate with someone who mutinies." The whereabouts of Rajoelina were not known, though the referendum votes appeared to be continuing.
The following day, the army chief, General Andre Ndriarijoana, met the rebellious soldiers, however no conclusive statement was made. Security forces also fired teargas to disperse crowds near the area. Three days after the coup, security forces attacked the base, and, following a brief firefight, the rebel soldiers surrendered.
The military had seen rifts within after the 2009 coup and scrapping of the old constitution. Additionally, Rajoelina's inability to consolidate leadership and end leadership had allegedly seen his popularity diminish.