CEOAFRICA.com received a report from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar that the electoral body has fixed October 25 and December 20, as dates for presidential and parliamentary elections respectively.

The dates follow earlier postponements and removal of prominent candidates including president Andry Rajoelina and two others. It would be recalled that last Saturday, a court in the country ordered the disqualification of the three front-runners from the race, paving way for fresh hands to come and handle affairs of the country.

The incumbent, Rajoelina, who earlier declared not to contest in the election, changed his mind when he learnt that Lalao Ravalomanana, the wife of ex president Mark, declared to run for the post.

However, due to the fact that Rajoelina submitted his bid late, and Lalao has not stayed in the country for six month required by the constitution, both were disqualified from contesting.

Another potential front-runner and former leader, Didier Ratsiraka, who filed his candidacy papers two days after he returned from 11 years of exile in France, was also disqualified on the same ground as Lalao.

The poll will be one year behind schedule according to a 2011 agreement to return to political stability brokered by regional bloc the Southern African Development Community (SADC).