Recount nearing completion in Madagascar election, but it isn't seen as ending political stalemate

AP 25.04.2002

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - The ballot recount in Madagascar's disputed presidential election should be completed in several days, ballot judges said Thursday, but some observers said the recount was unlikely to end the country's political turmoil.

Opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana, who charged the Dec. 16 election was marred by widespread vote rigging, declared himself president in February.

Hundreds of thousands of Ravalomanana supporters seized control of the capital Antananarivo, forcing incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka to flee to his eastern coastal stronghold of Toamasina and leaving the country with rival governments.

Civil rights groups say about 35 people have been killed in related violence.

The High Constitutional Court is conducting the recount under an accord brokered last week by African leaders in Dakar, Senegal. But many are criticizing the process because Ratsiraka replaced the nine judge panel the day before election campaigning started.

The Supreme Court ruled that move illegal, and the original judges were reinstated to carry out the recount. Only six of the judges are participating in the process.

Jose Andrianoelison, a top Ratsiraka negotiator, said the Supreme Court may have acted illegally, and that a new High Constitutional Court should have been named.

"I don't think people from Ratsiraka's side will accept the recount," Andrianoelison said.

Judges on the High Constitutional Court said they were impartial.

"We are going to give result that is both as independent and transparent as possible," Judge Florent Rakotoarisoa said.

Ratsiraka supporters were supposed to lift blockades on roads leading into the capital under the Dakar accord, but the barricades that have cut off fuel supplies to the capital remain in place.

Lahady Samuel, the governor of Toamasina province, this week took over authorizing ships to leave the country's main port, in a move to tighten government control over fuel supplies.

The dispute has hobbled the country's textile and tourism industry and brought the economy to a standstill.

Lalaina Randianisoa, 32, a shop owner in Antananarivo, said his business was suffering badly.

"Everyone is waiting for the result (of the recount), but I don't think anyone knows what to expect any more," he said.