Madagascar’s president, Hery Raja-ona-rima-mpia-nina, conceded defeat in his bid for a second term after managing a distant third in the first round of voting in the island’s presidential vote.
Raja-ona-rima-mpia-nina got just 8.82 percent in the November first round, the High Constitutional Court said on Wednesday, behind former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, who got 35.35 percent, and Andry Rajoelina, who got 39.23 percent.
He will not take part in the second round, due on Dec. 19. The court rejected his request to have the election canceled.
Madagascar is hoping for a second peaceful election since upheaval in 2009, when Ravalomanana was forced out of office by protests led by Rajoelina in what the African Union and other international organizations said was a coup.