In August the Special Electoral Court the Cour spéciale électorale disqualified the three highest-profile candidates after they were found to be in breach of electoral law – ex-President Didier Ratsiraka coup leader Andry Rajoelina and Lalao Ravalomanana wife of ousted President Marc Ravalomanana (AC Vol 54 No 18 Merry-go-rounds)...
These include Edgard Razafindravahy Mayor of the capital Antananarivo; Hery Rajaonarimampianina Finance Minister since 2009; Hajo Andrianainarivelo Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Planning and Development; Roland Ratsiraka nephew of Didier Ratsiraka and Mayor of the main port Toamasina (AC Vol 52 No 1 A permanent putsch); Camille Vital former Premier; Pierrot Rajaonarivelo Foreign Affairs Minister since 2011; and Jean Lahiniriko President of the National Assembly and a stalwart of the post-coup government the Haute Autorité de la Transition (High Transition Authority HAT)...