The Presidency of the Refoundation of the Republic is convening political actors and key stakeholders for consultation at Iavoloha from September 1-8, focusing on election preparation. Political actor consultation began with a meeting between Colonel Randrianirina and two of his predecessors on July 27.

On Saturday, the Presidency of the Refoundation of the Republic announced the organization of a "consultation for election preparation." Political parties and groupings, civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the electoral field, and "key stakeholders" are invited. Political entities and CSOs must present current legal existence documentation to participate.

This initiative continues consultations launched by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, Head of State, since late July. He explained these aimed at political dialogue on electoral governance, parallel to national consultation. Upon returning from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit on August 18, he indicated the goal was accelerating the path to elections.

"The objective is that we all agree and have a common view to move quickly toward elections, without prolonging the current situation indefinitely. This is why I support CENI [Independent National Electoral Commission] in this political consultation approach," the Iavoloha resident told press on August 18. He reaffirmed elections would occur in 2027 without specifying which elections.

The senior officer stated CENI should be ready to organize voting from July 2027 onwards, once electoral list reform is completed. The multi-stakeholder consultation from tomorrow through September 8 should establish political conditions enabling election preparation in a peaceful, consensual context.

According to the Refoundation's schedule submitted to SADC on February 28, the first electoral deadline is between May-July 2027: a referendum or constitutional election. The presidential election follows between September-end 2027. However, the national consultation schedule published by the Ecumenical Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar (FFKM) Tuesday must be considered.

According to the Churches' calendar, national consultation resolutions should only be known after May 2027. The schedule appears particularly tight for organizing voting from July 2027 and conducting two electoral processes that year. National consultation resolutions must produce constitutional project(s) submitted to voter approval.

During national consultation launch Tuesday, Colonel Thierry Rampanarivo, senior advisor to the Refoundation, was clear on state intentions. He emphasized electoral governance reform could proceed parallel to consultation. "The objective is respecting the deadline and conducting elections transparently, credibly, peacefully and acceptably to all," he declared, recalling the Head of State's consultation goals.

Rampanarivo added: "We cannot wait. What can be done now must be done now. If preparations can be made today, why wait until tomorrow?" The Presidency-initiated multi-stakeholder consultation could gain time on the electoral calendar by addressing electoral governance questions parallel to national consultation.

The Iavoloha meeting should build consensus on rules and conditions necessary for organizing 2027 elections. Electoral arrangement could also be discussed. Given the tight schedule, debate on holding the presidential election before the constitutional vote is emerging. The thorny question of candidacy conditions for the presidency will likely be debated. Whether different protagonists will reach agreement remains to be seen.