Madagascar polls 'free, credible, democratic': EU observers

(ANTANANARIVO) - European Union observers deemed Madagascar's run-off presidential polls credible but added that they were still awaiting the reporting of the results, according to main conclusions released Sunday.

"According to the parameters and methodology of the European Union, the elections were free, credible and democratic," said mission chief Maria Muniz de Urquiza of Friday's vote to restore democracy to the island nation.

But she cautioned that "the process has not finished. We have to wait for counting to end and the reporting of the results," after both candidates claimed victory.

Robinson Jean Louis, candidate of ousted president Marc Ravalomanana, and his rival Hery Rajaonarimampianina, backed by strongman Andry Rajoelina, have also accused each other of fraud.

The parliamentary and run-off presidential polls were aimed at pulling the island from stagnation after Rajoelina seized power from Ravalomanana in an army-backed coup in 2009.

Other observers also judged the polls free, and urged the candidates to accept the outcome.