Electoral preparation consultations are in full swing at the Iavoloha State Palace. Under the leadership of Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, the discussions bring together various political factions, civil society organizations, and security forces.

Open dialogue across the board. This is the watchword of electoral preparation consultations conducted since Tuesday at Iavoloha by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, head of state. Participants represent different political tendencies. Government allies, opposition formations, and centrist parties have all presented their recommendations on the path forward to elections.

Achieving consensus to create a favorable political climate for peaceful, credible, and universally accepted elections is precisely the objective of these consultations. To this end, representatives of the international community are invited to the various meetings as observers. Madagascar's international partners notably recommend "holding inclusive political dialogue aimed at establishing a consensual political framework for adopting institutional reforms that can guarantee the organization of transparent, credible, and peaceful elections."

Since Tuesday, the senior officer, accompanied by one of the Refoundation's senior advisors and the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has been conducting consultations in succession. First came meetings with members of the former Firaisankina political platform, then with the new KFIM political formation and women's associations, according to the Refoundation presidency.

On Wednesday, the Refoundation president received the opposition platform "Isika rehetra miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina" (Irmar), as well as other political entities, such as the Green Party and the Gasikara Movement. Yesterday, it was the turn of the "Kolektifan'ny Malagasy" platform, the FFM political association supporting the Refoundation, and senior officials of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS).

Refoundation from the grassroots

The presidential institution explains the consultation of the FDS by the fact that "beyond being military personnel and police officers, they are also citizens who, consequently, have responsibilities and obligations in national affairs." Each entity participating in the consultations has so far presented its viewpoint and recommendations on the path to credible and universally recognized elections, with the stated objective of ending cyclical political crises.

The Arche de la nation party - ADN was also among the political entities invited to the Iavoloha consultations on Wednesday. On this occasion, it submitted to the head of state a proposal structured around seven points and based on its doctrine of "Refoundation from the grassroots."

For ADN, elections should not be an end in themselves. While they allow the people to choose their leaders and confer legitimacy upon them, the party believes they must be accompanied by broader reform of the governance system.

The political formation advocates for a restructuring of power organization, based on increased transfer of competencies and authority to territories, within the framework of its "Federalisma Sahaza" project. "Power must emanate from grassroots communities and not from a single person," the party emphasizes, adding, "the question should not be solely who will we elect, but we must also ask ourselves what system will the person we elect use to govern the country."

ADN thus proposes strengthening territorial levels and organizing elections at the level of "state-regions" and municipalities. It also insists on the reliability of electoral rolls, transparency in election organization, and stability of electoral rules.

"Electoral rules must not change depending on candidates or leaders," ADN argues. The party also believes that the entity responsible for organizing elections must remain independent from the government and political formations.

Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson