Madagascar's president resigns ahead of elections: Reports

KIGALI, Rwanda

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has resigned after officially being confirmed as a candidate in the country’s presidential elections scheduled for November, local media reported Sunday.

“Rajoelina complied with the constitutional requirement and sent his resignation letter to the High Constitutional Court on Saturday, Sept. 9,” the news portal Actu reported, citing a statement by the court.

Madagascar's constitution requires an incumbent president who wants to seek reelection to first resign.

Senate head Herimanana Razafimahefa is supposed to take over, according to the constitution. But in this case, Razafimahefa reportedly declined, citing personal reasons.

The High Constitutional Court said presidential powers would now be exercised by the government collectively with Prime Minister Christian Ntsay as the head, according to the report.

Voters in Madagascar will go to the polls on Nov. 9 for the first round of presidential elections and on Dec. 20 for the second round, if there is one.

The High Constitutional Court over the weekend confirmed 13 all-male candidates out of 28 applicants to contest the elections.

They include Rajoelina and two former presidents -- Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

There had been speculation that Rajoelina’s candidacy could be rejected amid controversy over his assumption of French citizenship under naturalization in 2014.

However, the High Constitutional Court said after investigations it was concluded that none of the contenders, including Rajoelina, had lost Malagasy nationality.

Campaigns for the presidential elections will begin on Oct. 10 and run until Nov. 8, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, with more than 10.7 million voters expected to take part in the polls.

Rajoelina, 49, won the last vote in December 2018 after beating Ravalomanana in the second round of elections, which were said to have been marred by irregularities.

He first assumed power in 2009 after the military backed his ousting of Ravalomanana.