Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANTANANARIVO198
2008-03-13 12:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
MADAGASCAR "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS MARCH 16
how-toVZCZCXRO3834 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHAN #0198 0731200 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 131200Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1070 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0989 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
PARIS FOR AFRIA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS MARCH 16
REFTEL: ANTANANARIVO 1269 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
PARIS FOR AFRIA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS MARCH 16
REFTEL: ANTANANARIVO 1269 AND PREVIOUS
1. In the final days before the March 16 elections for 147 regional
counselors, the fifth election Madagascar has seen in just 15
months, campaign season is finally picking up some speed. Voters
around the country have expressed fatigue and a general lack of
understanding regarding the role of regional counselors. The new
position is being put in place to implement changes in the
administrative structure outlined in the April 2007 constitutional
referendum, which abolished the six-province structure in favor of
22 regions.
2. Rather than campaigning on issues, representatives of the
President's TIM party have been explaining the importance of
regional counselors to regional development and urging voters to
turn out in massive numbers for the elections. As in past
elections, government officials have been deeply involved in the
campaign; cabinet ministers are each assigned to "coach" a region.
Local neighborhood chiefs have been distributing voter cards
door-to-door, both to correct administrative glitches noted in past
elections and to bolster the government effort to "get out the
vote." Meanwhile, opposition candidates are urging voters to
boycott the elections. Various government authorities are
responding to boycott messages with threats in some localities to
arrest those disseminating them. No arrests have occurred to date,
however.
MARQUARDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
PARIS FOR AFRIA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR "REGIONAL COUNSELOR" ELECTIONS MARCH 16
REFTEL: ANTANANARIVO 1269 AND PREVIOUS
1. In the final days before the March 16 elections for 147 regional
counselors, the fifth election Madagascar has seen in just 15
months, campaign season is finally picking up some speed. Voters
around the country have expressed fatigue and a general lack of
understanding regarding the role of regional counselors. The new
position is being put in place to implement changes in the
administrative structure outlined in the April 2007 constitutional
referendum, which abolished the six-province structure in favor of
22 regions.
2. Rather than campaigning on issues, representatives of the
President's TIM party have been explaining the importance of
regional counselors to regional development and urging voters to
turn out in massive numbers for the elections. As in past
elections, government officials have been deeply involved in the
campaign; cabinet ministers are each assigned to "coach" a region.
Local neighborhood chiefs have been distributing voter cards
door-to-door, both to correct administrative glitches noted in past
elections and to bolster the government effort to "get out the
vote." Meanwhile, opposition candidates are urging voters to
boycott the elections. Various government authorities are
responding to boycott messages with threats in some localities to
arrest those disseminating them. No arrests have occurred to date,
however.
MARQUARDT