Madagascan ex-presidents face off in election clash

“The stakes are enormous, and both men have invested heavily, including financially, in this election,” said analyst Marcus Schneider of the Bonn-based Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

“If the results are tight, the loser could challenge the results and plunge the country back into crisis.”

Ravalomanana is a former milkman from a peasant family who went on to build a business empire, while the younger Rajoelina is a former mayor, party planner and successful entrepreneur with slick communication skills.

Madagascar is well known for its vanilla and precious redwood, yet is one of the world’s poorest countries, according to World Bank data, with 76 percent of people living in extreme poverty.