Madagascar is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, but its elections are reportedly some of the most expensive. With a population of 25 million and a gross national income per capita of US$400, it is one of the few countries where the nominal GDP per capita is lower today than it was in 1960.

This year thirty-six candidates seek to contest in Madagascar’s presidential elections scheduled for the 7th of November.

The current administration under President Hery Rajoanarimampianina has been sustained through the interventions of the country’s High Constitutional Court even though the political atmosphere seems to have regressed into the fragile state it was in 2009.

The people of Madagascar, however, are unimpressed with the candidates and their ambitions. According to Claudine Rajaonarison who spoke with a reporter for News 24, “The candidates are vying for power for themselves – not the wellbeing of the country,” and this sentiment is echoed by many in the country.

“Currently, because of a lack of resources, young girls don’t go to school and fall pregnant very early, at 12, 13 or 15 years old,” said security guard Bruneau Rakotomanga, 43.

“The majority of electors are poor and it’s the poor who enable politicians to get into power, but once there, the fat vultures forget who helped them succeed,” he added angrily.

The politicians, including the president, have done very little to assuage the poverty in the country. Many agree that President Rajaonarimampianina’s performance over his five-year term has been mixed. While he has managed to attract some foreign investment into the country, he has failed to alleviate the levels of poverty and reduce the rate of inflation in the country. He has also had a tumultuous time in office, facing impeachment in 2015 and having to appoint 3 prime ministers within a four-year period and now the country is about to run one of the most expensive elections on the continent.

Some candidates in this year’s election have complained about the cost of the polls, stating that they are in disadvantaged positions financially and logistically. This is in comparison to former Presidents and ministers (who are also contesting) who have substantial means in the November 7 polls.

A few days to the polls, Presidential candidate, Ny Rado Rafalimanana, denounced the situation which he fears might hamper the smoothness of the race pitting an assortment of 36 politicians.

“So in fact they have some privileges, compared to us . One, on financial resources. Two, in logistics. Three, in the permits, and in fact all the mic-mac that the state gives to these three candidates,” he added.

A 2016 study estimates that incumbent President Hery Rajaonarimampianina spent about $21.50 for each vote won in Madagascar, beating Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump’s 2016 bids.