The HAT inaugurates the CENI despite a climate of uncertainty

They are only sixteen out of nineteen, three representatives of the opposition are still missing. The members of the national independent electoral Commission (CENI) swore oath to the supreme court. To make a long story short, they swore to work in full impartiality, to preserve professional secret, to respect republic’s constitution and the laws. As the Constitution is currently out of order, the CENI will only have to swear oath to the transitional reshuffle order which undisputedly concentrates the whole power in the Rajoelina mobility’s hands, the “perfect” excuse to capitalize its unilateral dreams, and to do away with the consensual, inclusive and burdening Maputo charter.  

“This commission is really independent and transparent, its component figures all have credibility “, alleged Maria Raharinivonrina, representing who knows who’s other political groupings within the CENI. She belittled the opposition’s absence, arguing that the political mobilities have no power to deliberate, for being in to simply advise if ever necessary. According to Mamy Andrianirina, stemming from an organization of electoral observers, the focus is ” insuring the completion of the CENI mission and making sure that elections are transparent and complying with the people’s genuine choice so that polls’ justice come true”. According to the HAT, boycotting its CENI is no solution to the crisis.  

District attorney Ravelotsalama, from the Supreme court reminded its mission and responsibilities to the CENI. The CENI replaces the CNE, the late national electoral commission which, as pledged by its name, was not completely independent, but dedicated to the educative and observation roles for the sake of democratic morality. In short, this CENI will be entitled to prepare, organize and control the elections. It will be empowering whoever will have to tackle the forthcoming tasks. It will have to deal with the Home Affairs ministry in the setting of the electoral list. But the final confirmation of the so named list will be the CENI prerogative. The manufacture of the electoral card will also be its task. The debate on the compulsory possession of such a card is actually still going on. Will the CENI able to cope with it or will it still have to rely on the HAT Home Affairs ministry. 

 As for electoral operations, the CENI would potentially be in control of the whole voting process, for having to pledge respect of the electoral law. Its control over the account would require the presence of at least one delegate inside each polling station. The CENI will have to satisfy quite a lot of expectations concerning result collection. A presence throughout communes would reveal a sign of decentralization. All refereeing decisions will, however, be taken at the central level. Some legitimate concerns are remaining over the implementation of those reforms. The CENI  will receive data from its own electoral observers.