Voters in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros went to the polls to elect a 33-seat parliament, a critical step in the nation’s political calendar. The election comes a year after President Azali Assoumani’s re-election, a victory the opposition claims was riddled with irregularities an accusation denied by ruling party officials.
Polling stations opened early, with around 338,000 registered voters, according to the national polling body. Voting commenced at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), marking the first parliamentary elections since January 2020. Nearly 100 candidates, pre-selected by the Supreme Court, are vying for the 33 seats.
Assoumani’s presidency, which began in 1999 following a coup, has drawn criticism for alleged authoritarian practices. He has since won three elections, with the most recent one contested by opposition parties. Critics accuse Assoumani of consolidating power and grooming his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, as his successor. In 2023, Assoumani granted Nour sweeping powers, including overseeing government coordination, further fueling these suspicions.
The political climate remains tense, with some opposition groups, such as the Juwa party led by former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, boycotting the election. Sambi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022, has urged his supporters to abstain. However, other opposition members chose to participate, arguing that engaging in the process could expose flaws in the current regime.
“The Azali regime is weakened,” said Hamidou Karihila of the opposition Hope of the Comoros party. “By participating in these elections, we contribute to further exposing its flaws and accelerating its inevitable fall.”
Polling is set to close at 4 p.m., and the election results are expected by January 17. This parliamentary vote will serve as a barometer for the country’s political direction and the durability of Assoumani’s administration amid mounting opposition.
As the results loom, Comoros faces a pivotal moment in its democratic journey, with both hope and skepticism shaping the political landscape.