Colonel Randrianirina stated he did not set an electoral deadline for July 2027 during his meeting with his South African counterpart on Sunday. This clarification contrasts with a statement published by the Refoundation of the Republic presidency on the matter.
The head of state addressed journalists upon his arrival at Ivato on Tuesday, following the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit. At Iavoloha, he provided clarifications on the election question discussed during his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Durban on Sunday.
According to him, no firm electoral deadline has been set, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni) is preparing and should be ready to organize elections starting from July 2027.
"The discussion there was not about an election in July, but about the fact that Ceni is already engaged in political consultation regarding electoral governance. And it is still on this electoral governance that I myself am currently conducting political consultation to help Ceni," the senior officer stated.
He added: "What I said is that from July onwards, Ceni will already be ready to organize elections. But no one set a date saying elections must necessarily be held in July."
The head of state's remarks contrast with communications from Sunday's meeting posted on the Refoundation of the Republic presidency's Facebook page, the main channel for official institutional communication.
In that post reporting Sunday's meeting, it stated: "Regarding national affairs, President Michaël Randrianirina declared that the Refoundation government is already engaged in political consultations to advance electoral governance matters."
The post continued: "[He] recalled here that the first election in Madagascar will be held in July 2027, in accordance with the calendar already established for the Refoundation program."
Nevertheless, at Ivato on Tuesday, the head of state affirmed that elections will be held in 2027. "What I can say is that elections will take place in 2027. I also clarified that from July [2027], Ceni should be ready to begin organizing elections," he stated.
According to his explanation, his initiative to support Ceni in political consultations aims to accelerate the process toward organizing elections.
"The objective is that we can all agree and have a common view to move quickly toward elections, without prolonging the current situation indefinitely. That is why I support Ceni in this political consultation process," Colonel Randrianirina stated, adding that Ceni began its process on July 28 last year with voter registration for electoral list renewal, which should conclude in April, May, or June.
The timeline in the Refoundation of the Republic program document, submitted to SADC on February 28, provides for preparations and holding a first vote between May and July 2027, described as either a referendum or constitutional election. However, the document notes these deadlines "are subject to revision depending on changes required by national affairs management."
Based on the head of state's clarifications, elections will be held in 2027, though the exact calendar remains to be determined.