MADAGASCAR is holding presidential elections despite an opposition boycott following weeks of protests.
A curfew was declared overnight to prevent any trouble.
Political tensions have been running high, with the opposition saying that the incumbent, Andry Rajoelina, should be disqualified.
There have been six weeks of demonstrations, which have seen opposition supporters clash with police.
Angelo Ravelonarivo, a police prefect in the capital of Antananarivo, said the curfew was imposed following “various acts of sabotage” including the “burning of a polling station”.
Opposition leaders have complained of an “institutional coup” in favour of Mr Rajoelina.
They say he should be disqualified because he acquired French nationality in 2014.
Ten out of 12 opposition candidates have raised concerns about the vote’s credibility and called on voters to boycott the elections.
Opposition supporters have been using cauliflowers as a symbol of police repression.
Former President Marc Ravalomanana, ousted by Mr Rajoelina in a 2009 coup, was seen holding one as he joined calls for a boycott.
He said: “If this election is not postponed, Madagascar will experience a major crisis because the population will reject the results.”
Roland Ratsiraka, one of the protesting candidates, described the elections to AFP as a “fraud” and a “joke on Madagascar.”
A Red Cross worker helping in the capital told the BBC: “The situation is intense every day. We have many injuries and we’ve had to provide first aid to 36 people.”
