It’s vital for the result of the poll to be accepted in the impoverished island state striving to grow out of years of political instability.

The European Union’s observer mission in Madagascar reports no anomalies in the election.

But party workers for many of the 36 candidates say many people were excluded from the voters’ roll.

Fewer than half the registered 10 million cast their ballots.

The contest looks like a two-horse race between former president Marc Ravalomanana and the man who ousted him in a 2009 coup Andry Rajoelina.

Incumbent Heri Rajoanarimampianini has faded in the latter stages of the campaign.

A run-off election between the two seems increasingly likely on December 19.

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