Comoros Heads to Polls for Parliamentary Elections Amid Controversy

Voters in Comoros are electing their 33-seat parliament amid accusations of election irregularities following President Assoumani’s controversial re-election last year. Approximately 338,000 voters are registered, with nearly 100 candidates contesting these elections. While some opposition groups have called for a boycott, others continue to participate, hoping to expose flaws in the current regime.

Voters in the Comoros islands are participating in elections to select representatives for the country’s 33-seat parliament. This electoral process occurs one year after President Azali Assoumani’s controversial re-election, which opposition groups claim was plagued by significant irregularities, allegations that the ruling party officials have firmly denied. Polling stations opened early on Sunday with approximately 338,000 registered voters, following the last parliamentary elections held in January 2020.

The political landscape in the Comoros has been turbulent, particularly since President Azali Assoumani assumed power in 1999 via a coup. He has since maintained his presidency through three electoral victories. His opponents express concerns over his increasingly authoritarian governance style and suspect that he is grooming his son, Nour El-Fath, to succeed him after his term ends in 2029. The Supreme Court has approved nearly 100 candidates for the current elections, amidst calls from opposition factions to boycott the voting process.

The outcome of the elections, anticipated by Friday, holds significant implications for the governance of Comoros and the ongoing tension between the ruling party and opposition factions. The resistance amongst the opposition, led by various parties including Juwa, underscores persistent divisions within the country’s political framework. Whether these elections will serve to strengthen Assoumani’s grip on power or catalyze change remains to be seen.

Original Source: www.lismorecitynews.com.au