Just four days ahead of the scheduled election next Thursday, the incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, held his final rally in a packed stadium in the northern part of the capital. After taking swipes at his opponents, including the collective of 10 demanding the annulment of the election, the orange-clad candidate highlighted his record as a builder and pledged to do more in the realm of social initiatives.
Supporters, all adorned in orange attire, eagerly awaited his arrival for over four and a half hours, accompanied by music. Addressing the crowd, Andry Rajoelina expressed confidence in his victory. “I have traversed the island, and I have seen the heart of Madagascar. It loves only one candidate,” declared Andry Rajoelina.
The orange-clad candidate then ridiculed the collective of candidates opposing Thursday’s election, who had previously held a meeting in the same coliseum. “Today, it is proven that the opposition could not fill this place, even though there were 11 of them.”
“The Malagasy people will no longer accept disturbance,” he added, alluding to the repeated protests in the capital. Andry Rajoelina then touted his achievements in infrastructure and promised to focus more on social initiatives going forward. “I heard that you were spending 30,000 ariary to buy oil or candles. Next week in Tana, I will distribute solar kits to illuminate all households without electricity,” he assured.
He pledged to fund this equipment from his savings, aiming to allow the capital’s residents to celebrate without the hindrance of power shortages. The concluding rally underscored the intensity of the electoral contest and set the stage for a closely watched election on Thursday.