ADDIS ABABA, 25 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue closely following up the conduct of the second round of the presidential election in Madagascar.
In its latest meeting, the Peace and Security Council of the 55-member African Union has deliberated on the situation in Madagascar, according to an AU statement late Saturday.
The council has urged the Malagasy actors to continue to work in peace and dialogue, with a view to finding adequate consensual and peaceful responses to the challenges they may encounter in the conduct and conclusion of the electoral process.
Madagascar conducted its first round of the presidential election on Nov. 7, and the country will go for the second round on Dec. 19 to elect its future leader for the next five years.
According to provisional results released last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana went into the second round of presidential election in Madagascar, which will take place on Dec. 19.
The council has called on all the relevant stakeholders to recourse to the constitutional and legal channels provided for by Malagasy laws and regulations to address and resolve any electoral disputes.
The council called on Malagasy authorities to learn useful lesson from the conduct of the first round of the Presidential elections, with a view to enhance the organization of the second round, scheduled for 19 December 2018.
It has also urged the international community to provide Madagascar with the required material, financial and technical support to meet all the necessary conditions for the smooth running of the second round of the presidential elections and to consolidate the remarkable progress made in the process aimed at consolidating constitutional order in the country.
The council expressed AU's commitment, in close cooperation with regional blocs and others, to continue to support Madagascar during the post electoral phase, including in relation to the efforts for the socio-economic recovery.
The council called on the Presidential candidates and their supporters to work for the conclusion of the electoral process and to continue to show scrupulous respect for the institutions, laws and regulatory frameworks applicable at country.
The African Union (AU) has deployed a long-term election observation mission in Madagascar.
