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Ousted Madagascar leader's candidate to accept election outcome

By AFP
Madagascar Presidential candidate of the AVANA Party, Robinson Jean Louis, speaks to journalists in Antananarivo on December 23, 2013.  By Alexander Joe AFPFile
JAN 8, 2014 LISTEN
Presidential candidate of the AVANA Party, Robinson Jean Louis, speaks to journalists in Antananarivo on December 23, 2013. By Alexander Joe (AFP/File)

Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascar's presidential candidate Robinson Jean Louis, backed by ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana, said Wednesday he will accept the results of last month's run-off which he initially denounced as "massive fraud".

Official tallies from the second round of December 20 presidential elections show that Jean Louis is trailing behind the outgoing leader's candidate, Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

"I will accept defeat if the court declares so, but he (Rajaonarimampianina) must also accept defeat if the court says I am the winner," Jean Louis told AFP and RFI radio.

The verdict of the electoral court is expected before January 22.

Jean Louis' political allies last week warned the electoral panel that it would face "the people's wrath" if it declares electoral victory for the rival candidate.

Rajaonarimampianina won 53.5 percent while Jean-Louis garnered 46.5 percent of the votes amid allegations of ballot stuffing and misreporting.

The electoral court also has to rule on the alleged voting irregularities, which international observers did not witness.

Rajaonarimampianina was backed by Madagascar strongman Andry Rajoelina in the election billed as a way out of five years of political and economic crisis.

Incumbent President Rajoelina seized power from his rival Ravalomanana with the backing of the army in 2009, sending the country's economy into free-fall.

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