The election of administrative council members at Jesosy Mamonjy church was interrupted mid-voting in Ankorondrano on Saturday. Antananarivo's police prefect, Vonjy Maminjanahary Andriasy, ordered its suspension. "To maintain order and public safety, today's election is definitively suspended," he declared.
The announcement triggered jeers from election supporters, who argued the opposition represented only a handful of people. "These people have been causing trouble since yesterday. We were conducting peaceful elections, and now the prefect comes to close the polling station," one supporter said.
The opposing faction responded with "Alleluia!" upon hearing the declaration, denouncing the election as unilateral with excluded candidates.
Members from multiple Jesosy Mamonjy churches across Madagascar had called for the election's suspension last week, citing major management dysfunction. Opponents protested outside the Ankorondrano church from Thursday through early Saturday morning.
According to the police prefect's statement, Madagascar's President of the Refoundation of the Republic is taking charge and calling all Jesosy Mamonjy association leaders to discuss the matter.
Miangaly Ralitera