The election of board members for the Jesosy Mamonjy church was interrupted on Saturday while underway in Ankorondrano. The Prefect of Police of Antananarivo, Vonjy Maminjanahary Andriasy, ordered its suspension, stating, “To maintain order and public safety, the election organized today is definitively suspended.”
This announcement triggered boos from supporters of the election, who argued that the opposition represented only a small minority. One supporter remarked, “These people have been causing trouble since yesterday. We were holding a peaceful election, and now the prefect has come to close the polling station.”
Conversely, the opposing faction cheered, denouncing the process as a unilateral election that excluded certain candidates. A church member defended the process, noting that out of 42 candidates, 27 were selected, while others were excluded due to absence or failing to meet the requirement of having received anointing at least nine years ago.
Last week, members from various Jesosy Mamonjy churches across Madagascar called for the suspension of the election, citing major management dysfunctions. Protests had been ongoing since Thursday in front of the church in Ankorondrano. According to the Prefect, the President of the Refondation of the Republic of Madagascar has taken charge of the matter and has summoned all leaders of the Jesosy Mamonjy association for discussions.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-20 06:26:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/tensions-religieuses-letat-suspend.html