06:00
ELECTION OBSERVATION
The SAFIDY Observatory, an independent organization specialized in election observation, will deploy 1,737 observers in 2,455 polling stations (BV) spread across 205 municipalities throughout the country for the communal and municipal elections scheduled for December 11, 2024. The selected municipalities were chosen based on their electoral weight, strategic importance, local political engagement, and the quality of the observers, it is specified. The observatory’s methodology covers the entire electoral process, including the revision of electoral lists by ordinance, the registration of candidates with the Verification and Registration Bodies for Candidacies (OVEC), the organization of the ballot by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political context and the electoral campaign, the conduct of the vote from the opening of the BV until the transfer of materials to the Vote Materials Census Sections (SRMV), as well as the management of electoral disputes before administrative courts. Sheets have been created to collect data on key stages of the electoral process, transmitted to central SAFIDY via Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and via SMS for quick analysis, it is indicated. Furthermore, the observatory has trained long-term observers deployed in regions, districts, and municipalities, who then trained short-term observers for observation in polling stations.
07:00
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE SYSTEM
Three essential points constitute the implementation of the “Modernization of the Electronic Customs Clearance System in Madagascar” project, including the creation of Enhanced Risk Management (ERA), a system enabling automated risk management through the use of artificial intelligence, the establishment of a data warehouse for business intelligence, as well as the digitization of human resources management within Customs. These innovations will offer more efficient services to users and improve the efficiency of the Customs Administration, explains the General Directorate of Customs in Madagascar. During the official launch of this project yesterday, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison, stated that it aims to improve the management of customs operations by making the process more efficient, transparent, and in line with international standards. This system will reduce delays, strengthen the fight against fraud and corruption, and provide better service to businesses and citizens, she indicates. It will also contribute to the economic growth of Madagascar and its integration into the global economy. As for the Director General of Customs, Zafivanona Ernest Lainkana, he stated that the official launch of ERA marks a turning point for Customs in Madagascar, specifying that it is the first use of artificial intelligence in the country’s administration and a key step in the digitization of customs procedures.
10:00
CEO SUMMIT
On the occasion of the opening of the CEO Summit 2024 at Novotel Ankorondrano, Huguette Bello, President of the Reunion Region, emphasized that regional exchanges in the Indian Ocean are stagnating despite numerous attempts and ambitious declarations. Within the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the share of regional trade in total exchanges has remained around 6% on average for decades, she said, while intra-European exchanges exceed 70%. In addition, the share of intra-regional exchanges within the Southern Economic Community remains extremely modest due to factors such as insularity, isolation, distance from major global trading hubs, as well as the legacies of colonization, which have assigned countries the role of suppliers of agricultural and mineral raw materials, while being outlets for manufactured products from metropolises. She calls for strengthening and increasing South-South exchanges to change the situation.
10:10
COSAFA U17 GIRL’S CHAMPIONSHIP
At the end of the first half of their match against Namibia, Madagascar is leading. The Malagasy team has scored 4 goals during the first half of this first match of Madagascar in Group B of the COSAFA GIRL’S Championship, taking place at UJ Soweto B Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique.
12:00
CEO SUMMIT 2024
President Andry Rajoelina highlighted, during his opening speech at the CEO Summit 2024 this Thursday, that the development of tourism is an essential lever for the economies of the islands of the Indian Ocean. This key sector for the region requires strengthening the promotion of the Vanilla Islands in order to create a strong network between the islands and facilitate exchanges, he emphasized. In this regard, it is crucial to enhance the connection and securing of maritime routes between the Indian Ocean islands to improve the transportation of goods and people. “Our economic exchanges depend on the fluidity of our connections. The sea and our road, our connection and maritime networks will be the backbone of our regional development,” highlighted the Malagasy Head of State.
14:00
CNH MEETING
130 training program files were reviewed yesterday and today during the meeting of the National Accreditation Commission. The training contents, the number of teachers, the specialists involved in the programmes, and the infrastructure were carefully reviewed to ensure quality accreditations for Bachelor’s and Master’s students and to deliver diplomas that meet the higher education standards. It should be noted that already open programs must be renewed every five years, according to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
17:00
FISCAL LAW 2025
In its analysis of the Fiscal Law 2025, the Collective of Citizens and Citizen Organizations (CCOC) emphasizes that while other ministries experience reductions in their operations of up to 47% (MSP), the social sectors have been less affected. However, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene has been significantly affected by a 24.5% decrease in its operational budget. On the other hand, the decrease in the operational budget is around 7.2% for the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training, around 4.2% for the Ministry of Public Health, around 3.7% for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and around 2.5% for the Ministry of National Education. According to the CCOC, the decreases in the operational budget for the ministries in the social sectors do not reflect the priorities listed in the General Policy of the State (PGE). The CCOC
