A CENI with a significant but controversial civil society representation

The independent national electoral Commission is largely made of representatives of the civil society. Everything is, so far, all right. Aren’t they supposed to be politically neutral, and to work for the society in general? Controversies are anyway still in, due to the lack of talks. How could observers be also entitled to organizing the elections as well? Certainly, the commission is supposed to be a referee, but also to organize the process. Unless these observers are integrated in the CENI to work things out and observe all the way, the idea does not make it 

At least, the KMF/CNOE tried to patch what it could up by announcing its member’s automatic « suspension » consequently to its integration of the controversial electoral commission. Thus, its Chief of Staff, Bruno Rakotoarison, can no more speak out in the name of the electoral observation organization. The HAT enlisted from various other organizations entitled to the same civil society mission. Both Sidonie Rasoatsinampoizina and Auguste Andrianirina were observers recently turned into organizers of elections. Still from the civil society, Marie Gisèle Ranampy is representing the organizations promoting the education of citizens, and Hanitriniala Rafolisisoa is descended of an organization promoting the protection of human rights. 

James Ramarosaona’s case is a cause for concern for the order of journalists, from which he stems. The man certainly has experience for having been part of the former CNE or Electoral National Commission. For lacking the word « independent » in its name, this late institution was undisputedly entitled to less power, and less responsibilities The  hardcore problem is the HAT recruitment’s openly political nature. James Ramarosaona is a « big gun » from a daily newspaper close to the HAT, and advisor for Camille Vital, the HAT Prime Minister. His appointment has naturally been privileged compared to Ruffin Rakotomaharo’s candidacy, the current acting president of the order of journalists. The former national radio station’s editor-in-chief is definitely hampered by the label of the one promoted under the Ravalomanana regime. 

The administration is only represented by a couple of members within the CENI, a couple of figures with no significant political weight, Mr Jean form the Premier’s department in charge of Home Affairs, and Olivier Sylvère Andrianarisatra, from the ministry in charge of Decentralization. Hary Tiana Ralevason represents the Union of Civilian Administrators. Law makers have three representatives: Henri Rakotoson, recently pledged by the Union of  Madagascar’s Magistrates(SMM); the academic Gervais Tahindro, an academician proposed by the Law faculty’s Dean, and Yves Herinirina Rakotomanana, president of the Bar from the lawyers’ order. 

The most legitimate HAT choice is related to the parties supportive of the junta: Frediss Alvin Raherison, Fanomezantsoa Rakotonirina and Fredon Armand Ratovondrajao. The three opposition’s representatives are finally missing, suspended to the position of the three political mobilities jointly requiring an inclusive and consensual transition prior to the organization of any election. Maria Sylvie Raharinarivonirina represents the other political groupings. Having been appointed by an order on March 24, 2010, the CENI members, at least 16 out of the expected 19 are going to swear oath at the Supreme court’s facility in Anosy, a couple of days later.