Campaigning ramps up ahead of Madagascar's presidential election Madagascar is preparing to hold the first round of a divisive presidential election on Friday aimed with calming the political crisis that has rumbled on since March 2009 when President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in a coup by his main opponent, Andry Rajoelina. In August, Madagascar's electoral court removed three controversial candidates from the electoral role- Rajoelina, Ravalomanana's wife Lalao, and Ratsiraka with the hope that this will pave the way for a fair, transparent vote. Images and Soundbites from the independant electoral comission.