The previously scheduled general elections, in question

The organization of the general elections, initially scheduled for this year, seems currently in question.
The reasons given for postponing the election forum are linked to a general sense of insecurity, and the beginning of Madagascar’s rainy season, a few weeks from now.
Given that the Great Island’s highway infrastructures are in such a state of disrepair, it is virtually impossible to reach many regions during the rainy season, thus making it difficult to organize elections.
Mr. Auguste Paraina, the National Assembly president, was the first one to express some skepticism over the organization of this year’s previously scheduled general elections.
Given that national security has not been totally reestablished over the entire territory, and some of the weapons used by former president Ratsiraka’s rebel military forces, and militia men are still unaccounted for, Mr. Paraina finds the attempt unrealistic, at best.
The organization of the previously scheduled general elections is thus dependent on reestablishing national security, and the end of the rainy season.
The Malagasy parliament agrees with this assessment.
As for the administration, it has yet to give its final word.
The minister of the interior seems optimistic that it would be possible to hold the elections before year end.

Within the political arena, however, there are mounting speculations over the timeliness of eventually holding these previously scheduled general elections, given the current political framework, and the fact that these elections are supposed to determine a new majority within the National Assembly.
MFM party president Manandafy, a Ravalomanana sympathizer seems to think that neither former president Didier Ratsiraka, the new President’s rival, nor his party, AREMA, has obviously shown any kind of interest.
He points out that the principal leaders of the party are either in prison, on the run, or in hiding.

The present delegates’ terms expire around the end of May 2003, coincidentally, the end of the rainy season.
The only thing is that the decision on whether or not the general elections will be held may ultimately depend on the Malagasy President, himself.
For now, however, he is not in any hurry to address the issue, which obviously does not figure high on anyone’s priority list.

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana