the CENI too busy with the unique ballot to keep on policing at the same time

The unique ballot will be used in Madagascar for the first ever time. According to the HAT propaganda, electoral frauds are history. Andry Rajoelina accused the previous regimes of  voluntarily sabotaging the opposition’s candidates by hindering ballots from reaching polling stations. Honestly speaking, candidates are the real ones financially unable to print enough  ballots in the run of a presidential election. The creation and the transportation of these unique ballots are consequently a major task for the HAT’s electoral commission, the CENI.

 Its president Hery Rakotomanana is defend the CENI’s central role in the preparation of the HAT’s first ever popular showdown. The ballots are being distributed by the CENI throughout the island. The furthest districts, and not Antananarivo are the first destinations. The unique ballot use related sensitization campaign has not started yet, three weeks to the referendum. The issue is more relevant than usual since 50% of voters cannot either write or read.

Making a difference between YES and NO might however not be the toughest issue. The very lately unveiled ballot is having the blue color associated with the YES answer. Voting NO will mean chosing the white one. Relevant detail, since it is actually easier to convince unexperienced voters to avoid the white color.

The referendum related campaign is a one way movement, only the YES answer’s supporter are being seen, the CENI has consequently very little to do . There can be no complain to deal with, since there are no democratic debate. Could it be called upon settling a problem « la CENI would take its responsibilities», promised Hery Rakotomanana. The leading regime’s actions boosting the publication of the consitutional project are basically not violating the electoral law. On the other hand, ministers on duty are using national properties to promote the explanation of the YES answer

The opposition’s three Ravalomanana, Zafy and Ratsiraka political spheres keep on boycotting the referendum. Fetison Andrianirina is pleading for the NO answer and regrets that the constitutional project’s content is widely still remaining unknown. « the people has not yet studied it», he emphasized.

A pragmatic proposition is following the Ravalomanana sphere leader’s allegation that no unilateral election will be recognized by the international community: “we have to take more time and a way to relieve the people burdened by the crisis, prior to working the Republic out”. In other words “let’s postpone the referendum.