2001 Malagasy presidential election

2001 Malagasy presidential election

16 December 2001
Turnout	67.94%
Nominee Marc Ravalomanana Didier Ratsiraka Party Tiako I Madagasikara AREMA Popular vote 2,306,600 1,609,151 Percentage 51.46% 35.90%
President before election Didier Ratsiraka AREMA President Marc Ravalomanana Tiako I Madagasikara

Presidential elections were held in Madagascar on 16 December 2001. Initial results suggested a second round was necessary, as neither incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka nor Marc Ravalomanana, the two main candidates, had won a majority. However, Ravalomanana rejected the results and declared himself President in February 2002, resulting in violence breaking out between supporters of the two candidates. A recount was held, after which Ravalomanana was awarded 51.46% of the votes, and in April the High Constitutional Court declared him the winner. Although Ratsiraka rejected the verdict, the United States recognised Ravalomanana as President in June, and the following month Ratsiraka fled to France.

Results

Candidate		Party	Original results		Recount
			Votes	%	Votes	%
	Marc Ravalomanana	Tiako I Madagasikara	1,945,242	46.44	2,306,600	51.46
	Didier Ratsiraka	AREMA	1,701,094	40.61	1,609,151	35.90
	Albert Zafy	Action, Truth, Development and Harmony	223,831	5.34	229,047	5.11
	Herizo Razafimahaleo	LEADER–Fanilo	178,972	4.27	179,293	4.00
	Daniel Rajakoba	Independent	74,304	1.77	89,646	2.00
	Patrick Rajaonary	Independent	65,571	1.57	68,579	1.53
Total			4,189,014	100.00	4,482,316	100.00
Valid votes			4,189,014	98.41	4,482,316	98.17
Invalid/blank votes			67,494	1.59	83,392	1.83
Total votes			4,256,508	100.00	4,565,708	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			6,367,610	66.85	6,720,218	67.94
Source: African Elections Database, Rochel