Antananarivo - A collective of opposition candidates taking part in the Madagascan presidential elections have held a major rally in the capital, Antananarivo, denouncing what they described as “an illegitimate electoral process.

Some 50,000 people attended the gathering called for the by the "Collective of Eleven," as they call themselves. They say the electoral process is being orchestrated to ensure the victory of outgoing President Andry Rajoelina, who is standing for re-election.

Last month the Constitutional Court dismissed appeals to have Rajoelina's candidacy declared void over his dual French nationality, sparking opposition anger.

Ravaozandry Soa Fiavinirina, a supporter of the "Collective of 11" candidates at the rally says people do not want “foreigners” running the country.

With less than a month before the polls, opposition candidates are taking part in almost daily unauthorised protest marches in the capital.

Opposition MPs have also called for the resignation of the prime minister, Christian Ntsay, an ally of Rajoelina who has been put in charge of a disputed interim government ahead of the election period.

The position should normally have been held by the president of the Senate who declined for "personal reasons." Voters were initially due to head to the polls on 9 November, but the country’s top court last week ordered that the elections be postponed by one week to 16 November.

Representatives of the EU, US, and several other countries and international organisations have issued a statement saying they were watching the election run-up with the "greatest vigilance".