December 20, 2013 has been chosen for the runoff election to determine the next president of Madagascar following the failure of candidates to secure majority of votes in the first round.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that the electoral commission announced that Jean Louis Robinson and Hery Rajaonarimampianina will compete in the runoff.

Both candidates have the backings of ousted president Marc Ravalomanana and the man who ousted him, Andry Rajoelina.

The election aims to end a four-year political impasse in Madagascar, dating from when Mr. Rajoelina seized power with the military's help in 2009.

Ravalomanana's candidate, Robinson, received the highest number of votes in the first round with 21 percent.  Rajoelina's ally won about 16 percent.  The rest of the votes were split among 31 other candidates.