Comoros held a parliamentary election on Sunday, boycotted by several opposition leaders citing concerns over President Azali Assoumani’s authoritarian governance and electoral integrity. With around 330,000 registered voters, a low turnout is anticipated. Assoumani has faced criticism for previous elections deemed unfair, prompting discontent among the populace. The election was conducted despite Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi.
Comoros held a parliamentary election on Sunday that faced a boycott from multiple opposition leaders. They have expressed concerns regarding President Azali Assoumani’s ruling party, alleging an increasingly authoritarian approach and questioning the electoral integrity. The one-day election is set to fill 33 legislative seats, with results anticipated the following week as confirmed by the national electoral commission.
Approximately 330,000 citizens are registered to vote in the election, out of an overall population of 850,000 on the Indian Ocean archipelago. However, opposition parties predict a low voter turnout, reflecting widespread discontent with the democratic process in Comoros. In the previous parliamentary election of 2020, Assoumani’s party secured 20 of the 24 contested seats, which the opposition criticized as lacking fairness.
Assoumani cast his vote in Mitsoudjé on Grande Comore, marking another chapter in his controversial political career. The opposition has previously labeled the 2020 elections a “masquerade,” questioning their legitimacy, and protests ensued over Assoumani’s reelection last year amidst accusations of fraud. Among the boycotting parties is the Juwa Party, led by former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi.
Comoros consists of three islands off Africa’s east coast, having experienced numerous military coups since its independence in 1975. Assoumani, a former military officer, initially seized power in 1999 and has since returned to the presidency multiple times, overcoming term limits following constitutional amendments in 2018. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies has noted a pattern of political repression and non-competitive elections under his administration.
Despite the weather challenges posed by Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, officials confirmed that the voting would proceed as scheduled. The impact of these elections on Comoros’ fragile political landscape remains to be seen, particularly given the opposition’s strong aversion to the electoral process.
The parliamentary elections in Comoros demonstrate an ongoing political crisis marked by opposition boycotts and allegations of electoral fraud. President Azali Assoumani’s leadership continues to face scrutiny concerning authoritarianism and electoral integrity. Despite predictions of low voter turnout amid widespread discontent, elections proceeded under adverse weather conditions, highlighting the complexities of governance in Comoros.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
