The head of Madagascar’s lower house of parliament, Christine Razanamahasoa has called for the suspension of next week’s November 16 presidential elections after weeks of regular opposition rallies.

According to the mediation group led by Razanamahasoa, the nation’s current situation prohibits a free and credible vote, following a press conference in Antananarivo city, where the four major Christian churches in Madagascar, together with the mediation group, strongly demanded that authorities suspend the presidential election.

“The electoral process must comply with international standards, which is not the case at the moment,” Razanamahasoa said.

According to Razanamahasoa, this is being done to maintain peace and harmony in the country, as political tensions have been high in the days leading up to the vote, which has already been postponed by one week.

She added that opposition candidates have been leading unauthorized marches in Antananarivo for over a month, protesting an institutional coup favoring the incumbent.

”The country has been shaken by a brutal clash between President Andry Rajoelina, who is running for re-election, and most opposition leaders,” she added.

According to a representative of the outgoing president, a vote cannot be suspended in Madagascar due to legal provisions. The government would need to approve any such decision.

Originally, voters were scheduled to cast their ballots on November 9, 2023, but the top court of Madagascar ordered in October to postpone elections after one of the presidential candidates was hurt during a demonstration.