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| Madagascar elects new president | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Voting is under way in Madagascar's presidential election. | |
| In the last poll, in 2001, the island nation was pushed to the brink of civil war after then-incumbent Didier Ratsiraka refused to accept defeat. | In the last poll, in 2001, the island nation was pushed to the brink of civil war after then-incumbent Didier Ratsiraka refused to accept defeat. |
| Eventually Mr Ratsiraka went into exile to France and the current leader, Marc Ravalomanana, took over. | Eventually Mr Ratsiraka went into exile to France and the current leader, Marc Ravalomanana, took over. |
| He is widely expected to defeat his challengers. More than 14,000 observers are overseeing the vote, but some have warned of possible fraud. | He is widely expected to defeat his challengers. More than 14,000 observers are overseeing the vote, but some have warned of possible fraud. |
| Mr Ravalomanana, for his part, has said it will be a model of democracy and transparency for Africa and the world. | Mr Ravalomanana, for his part, has said it will be a model of democracy and transparency for Africa and the world. |
| His opponents include Roland Ratsiraka, the nephew of the former president. | His opponents include Roland Ratsiraka, the nephew of the former president. |
| Q&A:Madagascar election | Q&A:Madagascar election |
| The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Antananarivo says it is unclear whether the president will get the 50% percent of the vote needed to avoid a second-round run off. | The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Antananarivo says it is unclear whether the president will get the 50% percent of the vote needed to avoid a second-round run off. |
| There has been considerable controversy in the build up to the poll. | There has been considerable controversy in the build up to the poll. |
| The vice prime minister in the former regime, Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, was stopped from returning to the country to enter the race and an army general whose candidature was refused attempted a military overthrow. | The vice prime minister in the former regime, Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, was stopped from returning to the country to enter the race and an army general whose candidature was refused attempted a military overthrow. |
| Eight of the candidates subsequently supported the general's actions. | Eight of the candidates subsequently supported the general's actions. |
| On Saturday, one of them, Pety Rakotoniaina continued to call on his supporters to boycott the ballot. | On Saturday, one of them, Pety Rakotoniaina continued to call on his supporters to boycott the ballot. |
| There has been strong criticism of the government's preparations for the ballot with electoral observers warning of problems with voter lists and possible fraud. | There has been strong criticism of the government's preparations for the ballot with electoral observers warning of problems with voter lists and possible fraud. |