In Madagascar, the results of the “annual revision of the electoral list” were revealed yesterday, Friday March 1. This process, which takes place every year, aims to clean the national electoral roll and add people who were not previously registered. An important step in this new electoral year: in May, the legislative elections will be held, followed in November by the municipal elections.
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With our correspondent in Madagascar, Sarah Tétaud
For Arsène Dama, the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) of Madagascarthis new annual revision of the electoral list is a success: “ A little over 438,000 more voters were registered, compared to the list which was the subject of the overhaul, finalized on July 20, 2023 “. An increase of almost 4% in the number of registered participants. Of its 28 million inhabitants, the country now has almost 11 and a half million voters.
Archaic process?
But this annual revision process, tedious and costly, is seen by many as archaic, and the reliability of the revised list has been repeatedly criticized. If the president of the Céni assures that the revision “ was made to standards “, he recognizes that the process should be improved: ” We wanted to go at a higher speed. After the municipal election, in November, our objective is to consider moving from the current system to a biometric system. But first we need to do a study. There will also be the financial side to manage. And moving to biometrics is not just the task of the Ceni. We will have to collaborate with the Ministry of the Interior and coordinate several activities. But it will be a priority of our mandate. We will begin the process at the end of the municipal elections, at the end of the year. »
Quid from the EU report?
The head of the CENI also confirms having received the observation report drawn up by the electoral experts of the European Union (EU) relating to the November presidential election: “ Regarding the recommendations addressed directly to the Céni, we are ready to think about them “, he emphasizes. The report has not yet been made public. “ Contractually “, it is up to the government to decide whether or not to communicate its content to citizens.
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