STORY: Presidential election in Madagascar
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 16, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 0:02:23
LOCATION: Antananarivo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Antananarivo city views
2. various of polling stations
3. various of Madagascar's incumbent president Andry Rajoelina casting ballot
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Malagasy): ANDRY RAJOELINA, incumbent president of Madagascar
5. various of presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko casting ballot
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Malagasy): SITENY RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO, presidential candidate
7. various of polling stations
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (Malagasy): OROTHE, Malagasy voter
9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Malagasy): FARA, Malagasy voter

STORYLINE:

Madagascar kicked off its first round of the presidential election on Thursday to select the national leader for the next five years among 13 candidates, including incumbent President Andry Rajoelina.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Madagascar, over 11 million registered voters among the 30 million total population are expected to cast their ballots at 27,375 polling stations across the country from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time (0300 to 1400 GMT).

Ten candidates including two former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina are calling to postpone the election and for their supporters to abstain from voting.

They argued that Rajoelina should be disqualified from the election because he has obtained French citizenship. However, the country's highest court ruled Rajoelina eligible last month.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Malagasy): ANDRY RAJOELINA, Incumbent president of Madagascar
"Voting is a right and a duty. We show the example to the Malagasy people that we have done our duty for the country. To choose is important, and we find ourselves at a new turning point for the country because we are defining the future of Madagascar and of all Malagasy people."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Malagasy): SITENY RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO, Presidential candidate
"The election is important for the country. I call on all citizens who have not yet voted to rush to exercise their right and duty to vote."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Malagasy): OROTHE, Malagasy voter
"I came voting because it is a duty, and it is also my right in my country. I hope that the president I chose will develop the country. This is my desire. Wish Madagascar to become a developed country."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Malagasy): FARA, Malagasy voter
"I expected from the candidate I voted to develop Madagascar because Malagasy people need to change. So that the lives of Malagasy people could be improved. I am a Malagasy citizen, so I have the right to vote."

A strict curfew was imposed on Wednesday night in the capital of Antananarivo, in response to acts of "sabotage," including the burning of a polling station.

Local police announced that they would step up security at polling stations on polling day, to ensure the smooth running of the election.

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the votes, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will proceed to a runoff round on Dec. 20.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Antananarivo.
(XHTV)