Nomalcy returns to Madagascar after Presidential elections

A day after Madagascar presidential elections, the country has returned to its usual state of affairs.

People are going about their daily lives while the nation waits for Rajoelina’s victory to be officially announced.

In the days preceding Thursday’s election in the capital Antananarivo, a busy street was covered with umbrellas featuring the image of outgoing president Andrey Rajoelina.

But by Friday, not an umbrella was left.

The country is one of the world’s poorest despite its rich natural resources.

Many struggle to survive and avoid getting involved in politics.

With an abstention rate of around 60%, the highest “in the history of Madagascar”, the opposition has already declared that it “does not recognise” the election and continues to call for the electoral process to be suspended.

So far, Rajoelina has received over 70% of the vote, but the opposition has denounced electoral irregularities and a lack of impartiality.