A notable presidential tour in the middle of the legislative election campaign, scheduled for May 29. For the past week, Head of State Andry Rajoelina has been increasing his visits to the provinces. More than thirty districts visited in a few days. These meetings with the population are an opportunity for the president to make distributions but also to “present” new infrastructure. And this despite the texts which prohibit it and impose the neutrality of state representatives during electoral campaigns.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Pauline Le Troquier
During his journey which began in the Central Highlands, to the Far South of the island, the president Andry Rajoelina did not just distribute solar kits to vulnerable households or even land certificates.
Dozens of infrastructures have been “ officially handed over » to the population as in Antsirabe, the third city in the country and stronghold of the opposition party TIM. This Thursday, May 16, the Head of State presented a brand new university campus. An inauguration which hid its name, formally prohibited by article 61 of the law relating to the general regime of elections during the campaign period. Opposition candidates for deputy are protesting.
Serge Zafimahova, a political analyst, sees this as clear support for the government candidates where the opposition could win. “ From the moment he encourages people to make the right choice so that future elected officials can work with him, we call that propaganda [Ndlr, faire campagne], so it is prohibited. Therefore, the CENI and the HCC must take measures to address what is happening because there, we are in the midst of a drift towards authoritarianism. »
During his visit to Antsirabe, Andry Rajoelina multiplied, without ever mentioning it clearly, the allusions to the context of the legislative elections. “ We must separate ourselves from those who hinder development », they tell the population. And to invite the inhabitants of other localities visited to “ open their hearts ” And “ to prove their love to him “.
Asked by RFI, Lova Ranoromaro, spokesperson for the president, ensures that these “ infrastructure discounts » have always been done in strict compliance with the law. During these, “ there was no ribbon cutting or presence of candidates [du pouvoir aux élections législatives] » she justifies. It is simply, she says, “to honor the promises made to the population. »