A referendum on Madagascar’s new constitution has apparently been passed, in what would be a victory for the island’s embattled leader Andry Rajoelina.
A large majority voted on November 17 for the referendum, L’Express de Madagascar reported Monday. The opposition had urged the electorate to boycott the vote.
The ballot was part of a plan to restore stability to the Indian Ocean country, which has been in crisis since then-opposition leader Rajoelina forced out president Marc Ravalomanana in March 2009.
The report said that more than half of the electorate participated in the referendum. Earlier reports put turnout at 48%.
The results have not yet been certified by Madagascar’s election commission.
The new charter lowers the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35, allowing the 36-year-old Rajoelina to stand in presidential elections scheduled for May 2011, even though he has declared he will not be a candidate.
He has been shunned by the international community since taking power in a coup last year.
Last week, Rajoelina survived an attempted mutiny by a group of army officers, led by Colonel Charles Andrianasoavina, who had previously supported Rajoelina’s power grab. Backers of the latest mutiny were arrested over the weekend. — Sapa-DPA