Opposition rejects Madagascar vote as counting underway

Madagascar's President and a presidential candidate Andry Rajoelina flanked by his wife Mialy Rajoelina as he arrives to cast his ballot at a polling station, during the presidential election in Ambatobe, Antananarivo, Madagascar November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Zo Andrianjafy

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -Voting closed in the first round of Madagascar's presidential election on Thursday, which took place despite a boycott by most opposition candidate and weeks of violent protests in the run-up to polling day.

The election unfolded peacefully with a low-key security presence across the capital Antananarivo but turn-out was low.