Malagasy constitutional referendum, 2010

The constitutional referendum in Madagascar in 2010 was conducted on November 17, 2010 in the island republic of Madagascar. The population should respond with " Yes " or "No" to the question: " Do you accept the text of a new constitution for the establishment of a Fourth Republic? ".

According to official figures voted about 70 % of the vote entitled for the new constitution. The referendum is seen as a plebiscite on confidence in Andry Rajoelina, the self-proclaimed president of Madagascar. The main opposition parties in the country described the referendum as "illegal ", a call Rajoelina to the international community to send election observers remained unheeded. Catherine Ashton gave the European Union a statement that the EU would send due to the confusion about the implications of the referendum (ie on the way forward in the country) no election observers. Thus, it is unclear to what extent the official result represents the will of the people.

Date of the referendum

Originally, the referendum for the September 2009 had been scheduled, what should follow in 2010 presidential elections in October. However, it was postponed until the October 2009, then scheduled for August 12, 2010 and 29 June 2010 moved again indefinitely. 14 August 2010 finally was announced as the new date of November 17.

Impact of the new Constitution

The new constitution is considered a step towards Andry Rajoelina to consolidate his power. Rajoelina is head of the " Haute Autorité de Transition" (HAT), a transitional junta, which had come through a military-sponsored coup in 2009 against then- President Marc Ravalomanana to power. A change by the new constitution is that the head of the "HAT" (ie Rajoelina ) should remain up to the general elections as interim president in office. Analysts interpreted this provision so that it Rajoelina allow an unlimited time in power, since it would set for a resignation no date nor the circumstances of a coming election had been resolved.

The next presidential election is scheduled for May 4, 2011. Rajoelina has declared that he had no intention to bid for the presidency. However, addition of the new constitution lowers the legal age for candidacy for the president to 35 years, which would allow the 36 -year-old Rajoelina an application.

The put to the vote the Constitution also contains a clause that requires presidential candidates that they must have lived in Madagascar directly before the election at least 6 months, which ex-president Ravalomanana and other exiled opposition leaders are effectively excluded from participating.

Controversies

The three main political parties in Madagascar, Tiako i Madagasikara, AREMA and AVI, each headed by a former president of Madagascar stands, called for a boycott of the vote. They justified this with their protest against Rajoelina's refusal to share power and form a government of national unity, just as he had promised in August 2010. Likewise, changes in the election rules during the process were criticized.

The day before the referendum, there were smaller riots in the capital Antananarivo.

Referendum

A total of 7,051,809 voters were registered. During the consultation process, the government decided to soften the provisions for young people who have reached the voting age, but were not on the electoral roll. The day was declared a public holiday to encourage voters to go to the polls.

The independent national electoral commission " CENI " ( National Commision électorale Indépendante ) reported a low turnout. Officials have taken the back in a variety of errors in the electoral roll, which led to that excluded half of the originally registered voters. Because of these complaints, the opening of polling stations was extended from 16:00 time to 18:00 clock, which led to a significant increase in the number of voters in the afternoon.

The new constitution came into force with which the Fourth Republic of Madagascar began on December 11, 2010.

Coup attempt

On voting day declared 21 officers under the leadership of Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina, who had also supported the coup that brought Rajoelina to power, that they had taken control of the country. The military declared the government to be dissolved. Andrianasoavina later stated that he had planned to occupy both the presidential palace and the main airport of the country. The rebels declared that were exposed to all government organizations with a military reign, demanded the release of all political prisoners and the return of all political leaders in exile, including Ravalomanana.

The whereabouts Rajoelina at this stage was not known, but the referendum seemed to keep running.

Three days after the coup attempt attacked security forces of the insurgent military base and the rebels surrendered after a brief firefight.