A court in Madagascar has confirmed the re-election of President Marc Ravalomanana in a vote earlier this month.
The constitutional court ruled Saturday to reject legal challenges filed by other candidates who alleged fraud in the poll.
It upheld the vote tally showing President Ravalomanana with 55 percent of votes. Former parliament speaker Jean Lahiniriko got 12 percent of votes, and Roland Ratsikara won 10 percent.
International vote monitors say the poll was largely free and fair.
Mr. Ravalomanana has vowed to continue policies aimed at reducing poverty in the country of more than 17 million people. He took power after a disputed poll in 2001 that nearly sparked civil war in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.