Voters in Comoros are heading to the polls to elect a new 33-seat parliament amid allegations of past electoral irregularities surrounding President Azali Assoumani, who has been in power since 1999. Approximately 338,000 voters are casting ballots, with nearly 100 candidates contesting the election. Some opposition parties are boycotting, while others believe participation exposes the ruling system’s deficiencies. Polls close at 4 p.m., with results expected by January 17.
On Sunday, voters in Comoros are participating in elections for the 33-seat parliament in the Indian Ocean archipelago. This event follows the reelection of President Azali Assoumani, whose previous elections faced allegations of significant irregularities, which the ruling party has consistently denied. Polling stations opened promptly at 8 a.m., with approximately 338,000 registered voters expected to cast their ballots. The last parliamentary elections were held in January 2020, and nearly 100 candidates have been approved by the Supreme Court to compete this year. Critics of President Assoumani assert that he exhibits authoritarian tendencies and are concerned about the potential grooming of his son, Nour El-Fath, to succeed him after his term ends in 2029. Since his rise to power through a coup in 1999, Assoumani has engaged in three elections and has imparted extensive powers to his son, allowing him to oversee all government matters. Although some opposition groups, such as the Juwa Party, have called for a boycott of these elections, others have chosen to participate, believing that their involvement could expose the governing system’s flaws. In the words of Hamidou Karihila, an opposition candidate, “The Azali regime is weakened … by participating in these elections we are contributing to further exposing the flaws in its system and accelerating its inevitable fall.” Polls are scheduled to close at 4 p.m., with results anticipated by January 17.
The Comoros, an archipelago situated in the Indian Ocean, has a complex political history marked by coups and electoral disputes. President Azali Assoumani, who has been in power since 1999, returned to the presidency through a contested election in 2022. His administration has been marred by allegations of authoritarianism and manipulation of the electoral process. The current parliamentary elections are crucial for the political landscape of Comoros, amid heightened tensions and opposition movements demanding reforms.
In conclusion, the elections in Comoros represent a significant moment for the republic, as voters confront a backdrop of political contention and systemic accusations against the ruling administration. With nearly 100 candidates contesting for parliamentary seats, the outcomes may influence the future of governance in the archipelago, particularly in light of President Assoumani’s aspirations and the concerns regarding his son’s ascendancy in the political hierarchy. The electoral process remains under scrutiny as it unfolds.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
