Apathy in Madagascar vote

Less than half the eligible voters turned out

By Vohangy Rakotoarivelo in Antananarivo

A majority of voters in Madagascar did not vote in controversial local elections about decentralising power to the island's six provinces.

The new system of local government would give the provinces regional control of development programmes, education and health.

Opposition parties and church leaders called for a boycott on the grounds that not enough information had been given to voters on the reforms.

President Didier Ratsiraka promised greater decentralisation after his election in 1996.

His Arema party has seen support slip in recent polls.

Mr Ratsiraka has ruled Madagascar for most of its 40 years of independence, in the early years as leader of a Marxist one-party state.

Early figures

Early results put yesterday's turnout at somewhere between 25% to 35%.

Most people are blaming the low figures on politicians, saying they failed to explain the importance of these elections, which aim to give increased autonomy to Madagascar's six provinces.

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Provincial governments will be able to create their own budgets, and will be able to raise money through regional taxation systems.

They will also be able to draft their own legislation.

But one of the first jobs of the elected councillors will be to decide amongst themselves who will be the governor of each province.

The final make-up of the provincial councils is difficult to gauge.

Mosaic of parties

Not only are votes are still being counted, but a large number of different political parties and independent associations were involved, with some only fielding candidates in certain constituencies.

Only the Arema party had a representitive standing in each of the 111 constituencies.

The moderate AVI opposition party, led by former foreign minister Herizo Razafimahaleo, could manage only 43.

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However, according to results released on Monday, the AVI appears to heading for a decisive win in Antananarivo, with up to 55% of the vote.

But although the opposition enjoys support in the capital, Arema can count on picking up votes in country areas, and should win Antananarivo province overall.

Both parties are putting forward former prime ministers for the position of governor - Pascal Rakotomavo, for Arema and Norbert Ratsirahonana for the AVI.

That battle promises to be long and hard.

The final results of the election are not expected to be ready for a least one month.