Polls open in tense Comoros election to elect a new President

Photo Credit: AFP

Written by Asana Abukari and Peter Agbesi Adivor

Polls opened in the Indian ocean archipelago at 8 am local time (0500GMT) on Sunday across the country. According to the Comoros Independent National Commission (CENI), voting will end at 6pm (1500GMT).

Incumbent president, Azali Assoumani is hoping to extend his mandate for a controversial fourth term. He is up against five opposition candidates including Salim Issa Abdillah of the Juwa party, Mouigni Baraka Said Soilihi of Democratic Rally of the Comoros (RDCE), and Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed of the Orange party.

The others opposition candidates are Aboudou Soefo of the Tsasi Movement and independent candidate, Bourhane Hamidou.

Nearly 340,000 are expected to vote today in an election facing a boycott by some members of the opposition.

Provisional results from the election are expected to be announced on Friday, January 19.

Proponents of the boycott include Mohamed Ali Soilihi who is considered to be the main opposition leader exiled in France. The boycott according them is premised on alleged illegal irregularities and President Azali’s detention and imprisonment of political opponents.

President Assoumani won the 2019 elections polling 60% of the votes, avoiding a second round which was introduced in a 2018 referendum.

The island country known for its perfumes and fragrances gained independence from France in 1975 and has experienced 20 coup d'états since.

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