Presidential election campaigning under way in Madagascar Madagascar's election race officially opens, with all three recent presidents launching their campaigns ahead of the November 7 vote, which follows months of political tensions. Among 36 candidates, the leading candidates are Rajaonarimampianina, who came to power in 2014, Marc Ravolamanana, the elected leader from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoelina, who led the 2009 coup and held office until 2014. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES