Comoros Parliamentary Election Boycotted by Opposition Parties Amid Authoritarian Concerns

Comoros held a parliamentary election on Sunday that faced a boycott from several opposition parties, who accused President Azali Assoumani of authoritarianism and electoral integrity issues. Approximately 330,000 of the 850,000 residents were registered to vote, with expectations of low turnout due to widespread dissatisfaction. Amidst a tumultuous political history, Assoumani has faced criticism following past elections that the opposition deemed fraudulent.

On Sunday, Comoros conducted a parliamentary election that was boycotted by several opposition leaders. These leaders accused President Azali Assoumani and his ruling party of adopting authoritarian measures and expressed significant concerns regarding the electoral integrity. This one-day election will determine the 33 seats in the legislature, with results anticipated next week. Approximately 330,000 of the 850,000 residents in this Indian Ocean archipelago are registered to vote, yet the opposition predicts low turnout due to dissatisfaction with the democratic process.

President Assoumani’s Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros party previously secured 20 out of 24 contested seats in the 2020 parliamentary elections, which opposition parties criticized as a “masquerade”, claiming it was neither free nor fair. Following these events, Assoumani was re-elected in a contested presidential election last year that led to violent protests. Prominent in the current boycott is the Juwa Party, founded by former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, which also abstained from the 2020 elections.

The archipelago, comprising three islands off the east coast of Africa, has experienced numerous military coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. Assoumani, a former military officer, has presided over the country for an extended period, securing three successive election victories. In 2018, he initiated constitutional amendments that mitigated term limits, allowing him to bypass prior political agreements regarding the presidency’s rotation among islands.

Despite warnings from meteorological authorities regarding Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi anticipated to affect the area, officials confirmed that voting proceeded as planned. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a U.S. Congress-funded research entity, Assoumani’s administration has been characterized by increased political repression alongside non-competitive electoral processes.

Comoros, comprised of three islands situated off the eastern coast of Africa near Madagascar, has a tumultuous political history marred by military coups since its independence from France in 1975. President Azali Assoumani, a former military officer, first seized power in 1999. His administration has faced allegations of authoritarianism and electoral misconduct, particularly concerning the legitimacy of the last two election cycles. The opposition, observing continuous political repression, has resolved to boycott the recent parliamentary elections as part of their ongoing resistance to Assoumani’s perceived autocratic governance.

The parliamentary election held in Comoros has underscored the acute political divide within the nation, as opposition parties chose to boycott the vote amidst allegations of increasing authoritarianism by President Assoumani. The anticipated low voter turnout reflects widespread disaffection with the electoral process, further emphasizing the need for reform and inclusive democratic practices in the nation. Continued scrutiny from both national and international observers is crucial to safeguarding democracy in Comoros moving forward.

Original Source: apnews.com