Former president Andry Rajoelina on Friday took a clear lead in Madagascar's election, according to partial official results, as his rival Marc Ravalomanana claimed to be the victim of "massive fraud".
With more than two million of about five million ballots counted, Rajoelina had 54.68 percent of the vote and Ravalomanana was on 45.32 percent after Wednesday's head-to-head election.
As the count progressed, turnout was put at 48 percent — lower than the 54 percent in the first-round ballot.
Both camps have claimed victory and alleged fraud, raising fears of a disputed result and the risk of a new political crisis in the Indian Ocean island which has a history of coups and unrest.
But EU election observers said Friday they had not seen evidence of malpractice.
"The Madagascans voted in a peaceful atmosphere in a transparent and well-organised poll," mission head Cristian Preda told reporters.
"Even before the first round, the candidates talked about massive fraud. We did not see it in the field ... I hope that calm will come once the results are very clear."
In the same vein, the African Union (AU) congratulated the "two candidates, the entire political class and the Madagascan people who, despite the differences, [...] have shown restraint."
Rajoelina and Ravalomanana, both former presidents and long-time rivals, have been locked in a fiercely personal duel for power after they came a close first and second in the preliminary election in November.
"I have noticed massive fraud. There are electoral cards that are fake," Ravalomanana told AFP on Thursday at his campaign headquarters in the capital Antananarivo.
"If the results follow the rules and take into account our complaints then yes, I agree (with the results), but if they don't follow the democratic process, no."
Bitter personal history
Sensing victory, Rajoelina's campaign staff nonetheless responded with their own accusations, saying they had detected "fraud" and "manipulation".
"We took a big step towards victory, the ballot boxes spoke once and for all," former minister Hajo Andrianainarivelo told AFP. "If they say they have found fraud, I urge them to use the remedies provided by law."
The two candidates were both banned from running in the 2013 election as part of an agreement to end recurring crises that have rocked Madagascar since independence from France in 1960.
Ravalomanana, 69, was first elected president in 2002 but was forced to resign seven years later by violent demonstrations supported by Rajoelina, the then mayor of the capital Antananarivo.
Rajoelina, now 44, was installed by the army and ruled until 2014.
Ravalomanana is a former milkman from a peasant family who went on to build a business empire.
Rajoelina is a former party planner and successful entrepreneur with slick communication skills.
Madagascar is well known for its vanilla and precious redwood, yet is one of the world's poorest nations, according to World Bank data, with 76 percent of people living in extreme poverty.
The island, which is also famed for its unique wildlife, is dependent on foreign aid and burdened by a long history of coups and unrest.
Complete results are due by January 9.
