The Presidency of the Refoundation of the Republic began consultations with political actors yesterday regarding electoral governance. The discussions are scheduled to continue until September 8.
It is a consultation, not a political dialogue. This nuance was clarified by Rivo Rakotovao, president of the ‘Hery vaovao ho an’i Madagasikara’ (HVM) party, regarding the political meeting initiated by the Presidency. The meetings began yesterday at the Iavoloha State Palace and will run through September 8.
In an unusual move, the meeting, announced via a presidential statement on Saturday, did not feature an official kickoff ceremony. Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, Head of State, immediately dove into the core issues. Parties from the former ‘Firaisankina’ platform, including the HVM, were among the first to be received by the senior officer yesterday at the Iavoloha State Palace.
‘This is a consultation, not a political dialogue, which means there will be no formal resolutions,’ explained Rivo Rakotovao. In terms of format, the consulted parties presented their proposals and recommendations for improving electoral governance ahead of the elections at the end of the Transition period.
Upon his return from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on August 18, the Iavoloha leader indicated that the goal is to accelerate the path toward elections. ‘The objective is for us all to reach an agreement and have a common view to move quickly toward elections, without letting the current situation drag on indefinitely. It is in this sense that I support the CENI [Independent National Electoral Commission] in this political consultation process,’ stated Colonel Michaël Randrianirina.
Affirming the HVM party’s position, Rivo Rakotovao insists on prioritizing ‘an overhaul of the institutional and legal governance of elections before starting a new electoral process.’ However, this option could compromise the Refoundation’s timeline, which aims to organize a referendum or a constitutional election and the presidential election before the end of 2027.
The HVM leader acknowledges this possibility. Nevertheless, according to him, an extension of the transitional period ‘can be done provided that the decision stems from a consensus among all actors, as well as for the various stages to be crossed.’ For Rivo Rakotovao, one should not confuse speed with haste, at the risk of repeating the same mistakes that have led to the political crises of recent years.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-02 05:54:21 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/gouvernance-electorale-les.html