Civil society calls for monitoring of election proposals

As the community and municipal elections scheduled for November 2024 approach, civil society is once again calling on the Government to implement electoral recommendations that have not been implemented to date.

In a press release, a group of civil society organizations (CSOs) working for democracy and good governance expressed their belief that Madagascar’s stability and progress depend on free and fair elections. In response, they called on stakeholders and electoral institutions to implement the recommendations of election observers. Indeed, the recent irregularities in the presidential elections in November 2023 and the legislative elections in May 2024 underlined the importance of a transparent and credible electoral process.

Among the demands raised by civil society, the revision of the electoral law (LORGER) topped the list. Civil society organizations highlighted legal loopholes surrounding pre-campaigns, campaign financing and delays in handling electoral disputes. In addition, they demanded the establishment of a National Regulatory Authority for Communications Mediation (ANRCM) and the strengthening of the Committee for Control of the Financing of Political Life (CCFVP) to ensure compliance with electoral legislation.

To ensure transparency in electoral administration and jurisdiction, it is recommended that access to legal information be facilitated for non-State actors and civil society, while freedom of public assembly and demonstration also needs to be guaranteed.

Another point stressed is that the neutrality of public administration is not hampered during elections, especially in the education, health and territorial administration sectors. Civil society organizations insist on the need to improve the training of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and its branches at the regional and polling station level.

The need for greater transparency in campaign finances and clear sanctions for candidates who fail to meet their financial obligations was also stressed.

Civil society also urged the Government to set the date for the municipal elections as soon as possible, recalling that these elections were initially scheduled for November 6, 2024, according to the calendar proposed by CENI. A recent proposal would push the date back to December 11 This raises concerns about the government’s commitment to an effective decentralization process. Civil society organizations point out that any delay would constitute a violation and would be seen as an obstacle to true decentralization, which is essential for the balanced development of all municipalities in the country.