Presidential elections were held in Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

 on 3 November 1996, with a second round on 29 December 1996. The election followed the impeachment

Impeachment

Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....

 of incumbent President Albert Zafy

Albert Zafy

Albert Zafy is a Malagasy politician. He was the President of Madagascar from 27 March 1993 to 5 September 1996.-Early life and career:...

 and the appointment of his interim successor, Norbert Ratsirahonana

Norbert Ratsirahonana

Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana is a Malagasy politician.He was born in Antsiranana, Diana Region. He founded and led the Asa Vita no Ifampitsarana Party, which opposed President Didier Ratsiraka. He and his party were part of the coalition which elected Albert Zafy to the presidency in 1993...

.

In the first round, former President Didier Ratsiraka

Didier Ratsiraka

Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka is a Malagasy politician who was President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2002.-Second Republic:...

 took first place with 36.6% of the vote with a turnout of 58.41%. However, as he failed to win more than 50% of the vote, a second round was held, in which Zafy, who had been able to run despite his impeachment, was the sole alternative. LEADER-Fanilo

Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery

Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery is a political party in Madagascar...

 candidate Herizo Razafimahaleo

Herizo Razafimahaleo

Herizo Jossicher Razafimahaleo was a politician in Madagascar. He ran for President three times, and he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister from 1997 to 1998....

, who took third place with 15.1%, backed Ratsiraka for the second round. Ratsirahonana, the acting President and Prime Minister, who stood as a candidate and received fourth place with 10.1% of the vote, backed Zafy.

In the second round, Ratsiraka achieved a narrow victory. On 6 January 1997, Zafy alleged that vote rigging and irregularities had occurred. Final results confirming Ratsiraka's victory were announced by the High Constitutional Court on 31 January, and he was sworn in on 9 February.

Results

Candidate	Party	First round		Second round
		Votes	%	Votes	%
Didier Ratsiraka Didier Ratsiraka Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka is a Malagasy politician who was President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2002.-Second Republic:...	AREMA Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar The Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or Pillar and Structure for the Salvation of Madagascar is a political party in Madagascar.*National secretary: Pierrot Rajaonarivelo...	1,321,388	36.61	1,608,321	50.71
Albert Zafy Albert Zafy Albert Zafy is a Malagasy politician. He was the President of Madagascar from 27 March 1993 to 5 September 1996.-Early life and career:...	National Union for Development and Democracy	844,459	23.39	1,563,137	49.29
Herizo Razafimahaleo Herizo Razafimahaleo Herizo Jossicher Razafimahaleo was a politician in Madagascar. He ran for President three times, and he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister from 1997 to 1998....	Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for Recovery	546,211	15.13
Norbert Ratsirahonana Norbert Ratsirahonana Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana is a Malagasy politician.He was born in Antsiranana, Diana Region. He founded and led the Asa Vita no Ifampitsarana Party, which opposed President Didier Ratsiraka. He and his party were part of the coalition which elected Albert Zafy to the presidency in 1993...	Judged By Your Work Party Judged By Your Work Party Judged By Your Work Party is a political party in Madagascar.The AVI backed Marc Ravalomanana, the opposition candidate in the disputed December 2001 presidential election, and after Ravalomanana became President, the AVI joined the government...	365,896	10.14
Richard Andriamanjato Richard Andriamanjato Richard Mahitsison Andriamanjato is a former Malagasy politician.After leaving education, Andriamanjato became a Pastor. He also became involved with the nationalist cause. From 1950 to 1957, he studied in France. In 1957, he attended the Bandung Conference and became the leading figure in the...	Party of the Independence Congress of Madagascar - Renewal	178,352	4.94
Jean Eugène Voninahitsy	Independent	100,652	2.79
Alain Ramaroson	Independent	55,930	1.55
Guy Willy Razanamasy	Confederation of Civil Societies for Development	42,873	1.19
Jérôme Marojama Razanabahiny	Independent	32,812	0.91
Tovonanahary Rabetsitonta Tovonanahary Rabetsitonta Tovonanahary Rabetsitonta is a Malagasy politician. He is a member of the Senate of Madagascar for Analamanga, and is a member of the Groupe de Réflexion et d'Action pour le Développement de Madagascar party.-References:*...	Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar	32,518	0.90
Philippe Rakotovao	Independent	28,777	0.80
Evariste Vazaha	Independent	16,071	0.45
Albert Andriamanana	Independent	15,202	0.42
Charles Ramanantsoa	Independent	15,160	0.42
Désiré Rakotoarijaona Désiré Rakotoarijaona Lieutenant-Colonel Désiré Rakotoarijaona is a former Prime Minister of Madagascar. He held the position from 1 August 1977 until 12 February 1988 under President Didier Ratsiraka. Rakotoarijaona was replaced by Victor Ramahatra...	Independent	13,488	0.37
Invalid/blank votes		159,834	-	139,444	-
Total		3,769,623	100	3,310,902	100
Source: EISA