Madagascar’s New Government Reform: Lie Detector Tests for Ministerial Candidates

Announcement by Military Leader Michel Randrianirina

The military leader ruling Madagascar, Michel Randrianirina, announced on Thursday that all candidates for ministerial positions in the new government must pass lie detector tests, in a move aimed at excluding corrupt elements.

Details of the New Screening Process

Use of Polygraph Devices

Randrianirina explained that his country has brought in a “polygraph” device and a specialized expert to operate it, in order to scrutinize the backgrounds of potential ministers.

Criteria for Selecting Candidates

He added: “We want to distinguish between the corrupt and those who can provide assistance, and we are not looking for someone who is 100% pure, but rather someone whose integrity exceeds 60%.”

Background of the Military Leader

Leadership and Recent Actions

• Randrianirina is a colonel in an elite military unit.
• He led a coup last October that ousted former president Andry Rajoelina, following popular protests over deteriorating services and rising poverty rates in the country.

Government Reshuffle and Election Plans

• As part of the power reshuffle, the president dismissed his entire government last week.
• A new prime minister was appointed.
• The president emphasized that those who fail the lie detector test will not even be permitted to interview for ministerial positions.
• Successful candidates will be summoned to meet him and the prime minister.

Commitment to Democratic Elections

• Randrianirina pledged to hold general elections within two years.