Dismal turnout in Madagascar poll

President wants greater backing in parliament for his reforms

Preliminary results from Sunday's election in Madagascar, give President Marc Ravalomanana's party, the TIM, an early lead.

Confirmation of the final outcome could take several weeks, but the president's party is expected to do well.

The turnout appears to have been low with some polling stations in the capital, Antananarivo, reporting that only one in five people had voted.

The assembly was dissolved ahead of schedule in July.

President Ravalomanana said the composition of the chamber did not reflect the results of a constitutional referendum in April in which more than 75% of the electorate voted.

The world's fourth largest island, Madagascar is home to 19.6 million people.