HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 c532W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Madagascar; and what recent action has been undertaken by representatives of Her Majesty's Government to protect free elections and the furtherance of democracy and defence of democratic institutions in Madagascar. [74157]

Mr. Macshane

On 24 September, Marc Ravalomanana, the President of Madagascar, announced that he would be dissolving the National Assembly and holding legislative elections before the end of the year. He sought international assistance to ensure that the elections would be held in a free and transparent manner.

UK election observers will form part of a 62 strong EU Election Observer team that will monitor the legislative elections. A contingent of 14 observers will arrive four weeks in advance of the elections to monitor the campaign, the investitures and official registration of candidates. The remainder of the team will arrive a week before the election date.

Our Embassy, along with EU colleagues, the US and major donors in Madagascar, will continue to work constructively with the Government of Madagascar to promote democratic governance and transparency.