Millions of voters in
Madagascar queued in long lines early on Wednesday to cast their ballots in a
presidential election, as the Indian Ocean island struggles to create
jobs, fight poverty and end corruption.
President Hery Rajaonarimampianina is seeking a
second term in office and his two main challengers are former heads of
state Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina
All three have crisscrossed the island in a hunt
for votes and each has pledged to accelerate recovery for an economy the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts will grow at more than five percent this year, its highest rate in a decade.
The groups said a fisheries deal the incumbent signed with Chinese firms in September is opaque and will impoverish local fishermen.
There are nearly 10 million registered voters in the country of 25 million people, data from the electoral commission showed.
If the poll needs to go to a second round, it will involve only the two top candidates and take place on December 19.
About Madagascar
Madagascar is an Island Country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa
The nation comprises the island of Madagascar - the fourth-largest island in the world (after Greenland,New Guinea and Borneo)and numerous smaller peripheral islands
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