Exiled former deputy prime minister Pierrot Rajaonarivelo of the AREMA opposition party tried to run for president, and was considered Ravalomanana's main opponent, but he was barred from participation; he was not allowed to enter the country (on one occasion the airport at the eastern city of Toamasina was closed to keep him out, and when he tried again to enter the country he was not allowed aboard a plane in nearby Mauritius),  and his registration papers, which he could not sign because he was not allowed into the country, were rejected because he had not signed them himself.
Exiled former deputy prime minister Pierrot Rajaonarivelo of the AREMA opposition party attempted to run for president, seen as Ravalomanana's primary rival. However, he was prohibited from participating; his entry into the country was blocked (once, the airport in Toamasina’s eastern city was closed to prevent him, and when he tried again to enter via Mauritius, he was not allowed on a plane). Additionally, his registration documents, which he could not sign due to being barred from entering the country, were rejected because they lacked his signature.