Parliamentary Elections, 29 May 2024

Madagascar held parliamentary elections on 29 May 2024, presidential elections having taken place in 2023. Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic with a bicameral legislature. 87 members are elected by plurality vote from single-seat constituencies and 64 are elected by closed-list proportional representation from multi-seat constituencies. All members are directly elected and serve five-year terms. The prime minister is nominated by the National Assembly and confirmed by the president (IFES 2024). Elections in Madagascar are managed by the Independent Central Electoral Commission, CENI (ACE n.d.; A-WEB n.d.). 

The 2023 presidential elections had been subject to an opposition boycott and several acts of suppression, such as authorities restricting opposition rallies and violent responses to protests (Freedom House 2024). The opposition did, however, take part in the 2024 parliamentary elections, as did several independent candidates. More than 450 candidates competed for the 163 available seats (Tasamba 2024). 

According to international observers the polls themselves were calm and peaceful, but they also noted reports of candidate intimidation, exclusionary measures (e.g. barriers to candidate registration) and the unlawful closure of radio stations (International IDEA 2024). In addition, some candidates who rejected the election results alleged that their delegates were not allowed into polling stations and that in some areas minors were irregularly registered to vote (Amnesty International 2024). 

African Union observers stated that CENI respected legislative frameworks for the electoral process. However, concerns was raised about insufficient regulation of campaign expenditures (AU 2024).  

President Andry Rajoelina's Tanora Malagasy Vonona party was initially declared to have won 80 seats, two short of a majority in the chamber, with independent candidates on 52 seats and the opposition on 25 (AfricaNews 2024). In order for the provisional results to be confirmed, they had to be certified by the High Constitutional Court which by 27 June 2024 had ruled on about 100 disputes lodged by candidates. The revised results as certified by the Court were 84 seats for the ruling coalition, 50 seats for independents and the opposition coalition 22 seats (International IDEA 2024). The United Nations has taken note of intimidation of candidates and stressed the importance of due process for opposition members arrested after filing complaints about poll irregularities (UN HCHR 2024; see also Amnesty International 2024). Following allegations of electoral irregularities the opposition mobilized protests which turned violent resulting in two buildings of the electoral commission being set on fire (AI 2024).

Only 17 per cent of the 473 candidates were women, but this proportion is higher among elected MPs at 37 per cent. The low number of female candidates has been largely attributed to economic and social barriers, particularly the high cost of running for office. The required deposit for printing ballot papers was set at 20 million Ariary (MGA) for the 2024 legislative elections—four times the amount required in 2019—posing a significant financial obstacle for women and young candidates and limiting their participation in the electoral process. 75 per cent of polling station staff were women, according to African Union observers (AU 2024). Voter turnout in the elections was 48 per cent (Africa News 2024). This is an increase from 40.7 per cent in 2019 (IFES 2024). 

Braille voting continues to be used after the pilot phase in the presidential election, keeping the elections more inclusive for those with visual impairments. CENI was commended for this development (AU 2024).