Madagascar court allows constitutional referendum before presidential vote
The High Constitutional Court ruled that a referendum to adopt a new constitution can proceed before the presidential election.
Madagascar's High Constitutional Court (HCC) ruled on November 4, 2026, that a referendum to adopt a new constitution can be held before the presidential election. The court, responding to a request from the President of the Refoundation, determined that a popular consultation for a new constitution does not violate current constitutional provisions.
The HCC clarified that while a simple revision of the existing text is different from adopting a new constitution to establish a new institutional order, the latter is legally possible. This process would begin with the President of the Refoundation, followed by a Council of Ministers deliberation. The proposed constitution would then require approval from three-quarters of the National Assembly members before being submitted to a popular vote.
The project law for 2027 allocates over 199 billion ariary to the CENI for electoral preparations, including the constitutional referendum and presidential election. The HCC also stated that a referendum offering multiple options to voters is feasible, provided that legal and regulatory frameworks are amended beforehand. The official electoral calendar is yet to be established.
Why it mattersMalagasy citizens will vote in a referendum on a new constitution before electing a president.