The election for the president of the Federation of Student Associations at the University of Toliara has descended into violence. Last Sunday, a student struck a member of the organizing committee outside Room L1 of the Economics Department in Maninday, where the vote was scheduled to take place. The committee member retaliated, triggering a general brawl among the students present.
“A few minutes after the fight started, other individuals arrived with knives and large sticks,” recounted a student who witnessed the scene. “It was chaotic. There was stone-throwing and screaming. Some fled the scene, while others called the police,” she added.
Law enforcement arrived on the scene much later and began pursuing individuals reported to be armed with bladed weapons and large sticks. According to some students, these individuals were not among the expected voters that day.
The election, which was intended to appoint the federation president for a two-year term, could not be held. The electoral process has been suspended. Five candidates are in the running.
By Monday, a sense of unease persisted, although calm had returned by Sunday afternoon. The root of the discord reportedly stems from supporters of certain candidates who contested the election, deeming it non-compliant and poorly organized.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-06 06:23:50 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/campus-de-maninday-une-election.html