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In southern Madagascar, voters struggle for food before ballot

A Malagasy citizen casts her vote during the country’s local and municipal elections. Photo: UNDP Madagascar

“Just having good roads would be a huge change. When you cannot move, you wait and pray, that’s all that is left to do.”

His colleague Annick Rakotoanosy, a Madagascan, holds out some hope for the second-round election, which pitches two former presidents — Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina — against each other in a personality-driven race for power.

“What could change things is a political will to help the south,” she said.

“We know that the government cannot stop the drought, but drilling or water supply works, that it could. If there is a will, then we can move forward.”

Of the 36 candidates in the first round, only two, Rajoelina and outgoing president Hery Rajaonarimampianina, made brief appearances in the region.

Rajoelina, who won most of the local vote last month, returned briefly to pose with his helicopter last week to vow that he would not forget his supporters.

Ravalomanana has also pledged to “help poor farmers”.

Despite everything, Joseph Rafaralahy, the 77-year-old head of Ifotaka village, does not want to despair over politics.

“We need help with water, for example using motor pumps,” he said. “But I cannot pay and the state has not done it yet. Maybe the next president, who knows?”

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