TANA, Madagascar, August 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The future of democracy in Madagascar is under severe threat, with this week's ruling from the Cour électorale Spéciale (CES) that has tried to deny former First Lady, Lalao Ravalomanana, her right to run for Presidency.

The elections are now being forced upon the people. Yesterday's release of election dates has further compounded the injustice being inflicted upon the people of Madagascar, with any possible second round being held in the middle of the rainy season; millions of voters may be unable to get to polling stations.

Speaking today in Antananarivo, Madame Ravalomanana warned of the potential devastating impact on Madagascar, a country already scarred by years of poor governance and political instability under Andry Rajeolina:

"The CES list of approved candidates is a travesty for the people of this country. The eight candidates which have been excluded represent the vast majority of the electorate's first choice. The voters of Madagascar will now not be able to truly decide who they want to lead them. It saddens me that yet more selfish political games have been played with our future. Any eventual winner of this sham process cannot claim a genuine mandate to rule.

We will only have stability in our country if the people have elected their President in a free and fair manner. The present regime came into being through a coup and so has to go but any election must be as inclusive as possible; to deliberately exclude a major party or a serious coalition of parties will not be in the interests of democracy or the future of our nation. To exclude the Mouvance Ravalomanana is to exclude the vast majority of voters. History shows clearly that where the minority try to rule the majority they are destined to fail. We must unite and defend our right to democracy because only through democracy can we achieve the social cohesion and economic prosperity we so desire.

The Mouvance Ravalomanana will not be forced out by actions which are clearly not in the interests of the Malagasy people. We will continue the fight for free and fair elections."

Notes to editor:

Madame Lalao Ravalomanana is the Presidential Candidate for the Mouvance Ravalomanana, a growing coalition of political parties dedicated to bringing a secure, peaceful and prosperous future to Madagascar. For high resolution images free to download, visit the Mouvance Ravalomanana Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96646855@N04/

For press enquiries, please e-mail press@ravalomanana2013.com or call 00-261-34-07-20-77.

SOURCE Ravalomanana 2013