Comoros, the Indian Ocean archipelago, held its presidential election on Sunday, with the current President Azali Assoumani widely expected to secure a fourth consecutive five-year term. Despite facing five opponents, some opposition leaders opted to boycott the election, claiming bias from the election commission.
The voting process commenced at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) across Comoros, engaging 338,940 registered voters out of its 800,000 population. The polls will remain open until 6 p.m. Despite being a crucial democratic exercise, the election unfolds against a backdrop of the nation’s tumultuous political history, marked by around 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. Comoros is also known as a significant source of irregular migration to the nearby French island of Mayotte.
In Dzahadjou-Hambou, a town 20 km (12 miles) from the capital Moroni, some delays were reported in the voting process attributed to the late arrival of voting materials. Despite these challenges, voters expressed their commitment to participating in the democratic process. Abdoulahkim Abdou, after casting his vote, emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate who would contribute to the development of their country.
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However, a shadow of controversy looms over the election, as some opposition leaders have called for a boycott, accusing the election commission of favoring the ruling party. The commission vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that the voting process will be transparent.
President Azali Assoumani, a former army officer, seized power in a coup in 1999 and has since won three elections. Having served as the chair of the African Union for the past year, he seeks another term amidst criticism of a government crackdown on dissent since his 2019 victory.
Former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, a political figure sentenced to life in prison in 2022 for high treason linked to corruption accusations, adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape. Political protests have been restricted for security reasons.
Comoros underwent constitutional changes in June 2018, eliminating the requirement for the presidency to rotate among its three main islands every five years. This modification enables Assoumani to pursue re-election.
Assoumani’s opponents include a former interior minister and Salim Issa, a medical doctor representing Juwa, Sambi’s party. The opposition leaders advocating for a boycott demand the exclusion of armed forces from election involvement and the unconditional release of Sambi and other political prisoners.
Provisional election results are anticipated on Friday, according to the election commission. The outcome will shape the political landscape in Comoros and potentially influence the dynamics of the region.
