The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) plans to register between thirteen and fourteen million voters during the overhaul of the electoral roll. The operation aims to ensure the reliability of the registry ahead of upcoming elections.
“Between thirteen and fourteen million people will be registered on the new electoral roll,” stated Thierry Rakotonarivo, President of the CENI, during a consultation held yesterday at the institution’s headquarters in Ivandry. In an atmosphere of constructive exchange, representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and other stakeholders discussed the procedures for the electoral roll overhaul, a major undertaking intended to replace the current register.
This overhaul comes against a backdrop of numerous irregularities noted in the previous electoral roll, particularly the presence of duplicates and other inconsistencies. The institution, frequently criticized and questioned, is facing scrutiny regarding its operations and credibility. Its members are currently fully staffed, with the exception of the Senate representative, as that institution is no longer in place. “From the moment we took office, we made the development of a reliable and sanitized electoral roll our priority,” declared Thierry Rakotonarivo, recalling that the credibility of the institution will be judged by the results of this work.
The decree on the overhaul of the electoral roll was published on April 13, 2026. The operation is expected to last between twelve and twenty-four months. Voter census will begin on July 28, 2026, while the new roll is expected to be finalized on April 25, 2027. The registration period will span four months.
To reach the target of fourteen million voters, the CENI plans five registration methods: home visits, registrations at the fokontany level, operations in high-traffic areas, online registration, and registrations carried out by local authorities.
The new electoral roll will be established based on the fokontany (local administrative divisions). Local Voter Census Committees (CLRE) will be set up in each locality. They will consist of representatives from the fokontany responsible for validating registrations, while observers designated by political parties will monitor the process to ensure transparency.
When asked about the potential implementation of a biometric voter card, electronic voting, or an intelligent electoral roll, Thierry Rakotonarivo clarified that “this overhaul will be based on an alphanumeric electoral roll. Biometrics are not yet planned for this operation.”
Funded by a budget of 34 billion ariary, fully covered by the State, the operation is also attracting the interest of several technical and financial partners. “This funding is sufficient to carry out the entire overhaul within the set schedule. However, we will not prevent partners who wish to support Madagascar from contributing to this operation,” affirmed Thierry Rakotonarivo, noting that several countries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have already expressed their willingness to provide support.
The CENI intends to lead this overhaul based on three principles: respect for the law, transparency, and citizen participation. Since 2019, nearly five million voters have been registered on the electoral roll. The goal is now to have a more reliable, comprehensive, and purged register free of duplicates before the next elections.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-07 06:13:04 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/refonte-de-la-liste-electorale-la-ceni.html