Polling has wrapped up in Madagascar where voters are choosing their first president since a 2009 coup.
Thirty-three candidates are vying to become president. However, no candidate is expected to receive enough votes to avoid a December runoff.
Foreign election observers say the voting Friday was generally peaceful and there were no major problems. Some voters complained of long lines.
Madagascar is struggling to recover from the coup which plunged the African island nation into an economic crisis.
In 2009, current leader Andry Rajoelina seized power from President Marc Ravalomanana with the help of the military.
Mr. Rajoelina took over as transitional leader but failed to follow through on his promise to hold elections within two years.
Both Mr. Rajoelina and Ravalomanana were barred from running in the presidential election.
Madagascar is now one of the least developed countries in the world. The World Bank says 92 percent of its citizens live below the poverty level.
If no candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on December 20, along with parliamentary elections.
Thirty-three candidates are vying to become president. However, no candidate is expected to receive enough votes to avoid a December runoff.
Foreign election observers say the voting Friday was generally peaceful and there were no major problems. Some voters complained of long lines.
Madagascar is struggling to recover from the coup which plunged the African island nation into an economic crisis.
In 2009, current leader Andry Rajoelina seized power from President Marc Ravalomanana with the help of the military.
Mr. Rajoelina took over as transitional leader but failed to follow through on his promise to hold elections within two years.
Both Mr. Rajoelina and Ravalomanana were barred from running in the presidential election.
Madagascar is now one of the least developed countries in the world. The World Bank says 92 percent of its citizens live below the poverty level.
If no candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on December 20, along with parliamentary elections.