Two rivals defiant in tense Madagascar vote count

– ‘Huge interests at stake’ –

“I am worried because if the results are tight, no one has made a firm promise to respect them,” said Hony Radaert, from the Citizens’ Collective action group.

“The two candidates and their entourages have huge interests at stake.”

Ravalomanana is a former milkman from a peasant family who went on to build a business empire, while Rajoelina is a former 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 nations, according to World Bank data, with 76 percent of people living in extreme poverty.

The island, which is also famed for its unique wildlife, is dependent on foreign aid and burdened by a long history of coups and unrest.