Comoros Opposition Denounces Legislative Election Results Amid Fraud Allegations

Daoud Abdallah Mohamed, of the United Opposition coalition in Comoros, condemned recent legislative elections, citing significant fraud and low opposition participation. The ruling CRC party declared victory amid allegations of non-transparent voting processes. Concerns included ballot box stuffing and inflated vote counts. President Assoumani’s dismissal of these claims reflects ongoing political tensions, with a boycott for an upcoming vote by the opposition.

On Monday, Daoud Abdallah Mohamed, a prominent leader of the United Opposition coalition in Comoros, publicly denounced the outcomes of the recent legislative elections, citing substantial electoral fraud. The elections, which were held on Sunday, saw widespread abstention from the opposition amid claims of a lack of transparency in the two-round voting process designated to select 33 lawmakers. Mohamed highlighted serious concerns, alleging issues such as ballot box stuffing and discrepancies where vote counts exceeded registered voter numbers.

The independent electoral commission of Anjouan, recognized as the poorest and most densely populated island in the Comoros archipelago, proclaimed 12 candidates from the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) party as the official winners. Reports indicated that candidates from the ruling party achieved between 60 to 100 percent of the votes, with a claimed voter turnout of 70 percent. Observers noted an anomalous situation in Anjouan, where although actual turnout appeared low, the ballot boxes were nevertheless inexplicably filled.

Fakridine Mahamoud, the minister overseeing elections, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the alleged misconduct. Notably, on the island of Moheli, four out of five constituencies featured only single candidates from the ruling party, further compounding the opposition’s accusations of unfairness; the only opposing candidate from the Orange party withdrew midway through the election.

President Azali Assoumani, who has been in power since 2016, refuted the claims of electoral malfeasance, asserting that dissent from the opposition is a recurring theme. He stated, “It is not the first time the opposition has denounced (elections). Now, it is up to them to prove their denunciations.” The United Opposition has declared its intention to boycott the second round of voting scheduled for February 16.

The Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has a history marked by political instability and challenges to democratic processes. The recent legislative elections have drawn significant attention due to accusations from the opposition regarding the electoral integrity. The ruling CRC party, under President Azali Assoumani, has faced allegations of manipulation and fraud in its electoral practices, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of democracy within the nation.

In summary, the legislative elections in Comoros have been marred by claims of widespread fraud, leading to a boycott from the majority of the opposition. With serious allegations posed by Daoud Abdallah Mohamed, and the ruling party’s sweeping victory despite low actual turnout, the political landscape remains contentious. As the second round approaches, the opposition’s refusal to participate signals ongoing divisions and challenges in Comoros’ democratic processes.

Original Source: www.barrons.com