afrol News, 4 April - Voters in the Indian Ocean Island of Madagascar are voting in a constitutional referendum which accelerates the powers of President Marc Ravalomanana. The proposed laws will allow the Malagasy President to make laws without going through the parliament any time he declares a state of emergency.

A success in the referendum will nail the autonomy of six provinces as well as officialise English in Madagascar where French and Malagasy languages are the means of official business.

Malagasy opposition wondered why the government was interested in pushing to legalise laws that give the President absolute powers. They therefore campaigned against voting for their legalisation.

It is believed that the current tropical storm that is hitting the country will prevent many people from voting.

President Ravalomanana, a wealthy business tycoon, won a fiver-year mandate in office after edging out his opponents in the last December Presidential polls. He scored over 54 percent of the valid votes.

Mr Ravalomanana ascended to power in 2002 when he led several months of political strikes calling for the government of former President Didier Ratsiraka to step down.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories