Comoros Holds Parliamentary Elections Amid Allegations of Electoral Fraud

Voters in Comoros are participating in parliamentary elections for the 33-seat parliament following the controversial re-election of President Azali Assoumani a year prior. The opposition has called the electoral integrity into question, whereas the ruling officials have denied any wrongdoing. Results are expected by Friday.

Voters in Comoros have commenced casting their ballots for the elections of the 33-seat parliament, nearly one year following the re-election of President Azali Assoumani amid claims from the opposition of significant electoral malpractice. The ruling party’s officials have refuted these claims. Polling stations opened early on a Sunday morning with approximately 338,000 registered voters participating. The last parliamentary elections took place in January 2020, and the Supreme Court selected nearly 100 candidates to compete in this election.

The political landscape in Comoros has been fraught with tension due to allegations against President Assoumani, who has held power, ever since his initial coup in 1999 and has secured victory in three subsequent elections. The president’s opponents have raised concerns regarding his administration’s authoritarian tendencies and suggest that Assoumani is positioning his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, to assume leadership after his term concludes in 2029. In 2024, Assoumani ascribed his son considerable responsibilities within the government, amplifying suspicions of dynastic politics.

The ongoing parliamentary elections in Comoros serve as a critical juncture in the nation’s political trajectory, reflecting deep divisions between the ruling powers and opposition factions. While many opposition parties, including the Juwa party led by former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, urge boycotts of the electoral process, other groups believe participation may help to reveal flaws in the ruling regime. The election results are anticipated by Friday, which may influence the future political climate of Comoros.

Original Source: www.merimbulanewsweekly.com.au