Comoros Opposition Leader Denounces Legislative Election Results
In Comoros, opposition leader Daoud Abdallah Mohamed rejected the election results, claiming voter fraud and transparency issues. The ruling party’s candidates were declared winners despite allegations of ballot stuffing. President Azali Assoumani dismissed these claims, and the opposition has opted not to participate in the second round of voting scheduled for February 16.
On Monday, opposition leader Daoud Abdallah Mohamed in Comoros rejected the results of the recent legislative elections, citing widespread fraud. Many opposition members boycotted the elections, alleging lack of transparency in the voting process, which involved two rounds to elect 33 lawmakers. Mohamed accused the electoral process of being marred by ballot box stuffing, claiming that in some stations, the number of votes exceeded the registered voters.
The independent electoral commission declared 12 candidates from the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) as winners after the polls, with CRC candidates reportedly receiving between 60 and 100 percent of the votes despite a stated voter turnout of 70 percent. Observers noted that despite a low turnout in Anjouan, the ballot boxes appeared to fill quickly, raising suspicions about the integrity of the election process.
The Minister in charge of elections, Fakridine Mahamoud, has yet to respond to media requests for comments regarding these allegations. In Moheli, four out of five constituencies had only one candidate from the ruling party, and an opposing candidate who was participatory withdrew from the race during the election process.
President Azali Assoumani, who has held power since 2016, dismissed the fraud accusations, stating, “It is not the first time the opposition has denounced elections. Now, it is up to them to prove their denunciations.” The next round of voting is scheduled for February 16, during which Mohamed confirmed that the United Opposition would not participate.
The Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has faced political strife, particularly around elections. Allegations of electoral fraud are common, often leading to significant opposition boycotts. The ruling CRC party has been accused of manipulating election outcomes to maintain control, stirring tensions within the political landscape. As political factions vie for power, transparency in elections remains a critical concern for many citizens and observers alike.
The opposition’s rejection of the election results in Comoros underscores the ongoing tensions and allegations of electoral fraud. With significant boycotts and claims of irregularities, the legitimacy of the election results is heavily contested. The political climate remains fraught, particularly as the United Opposition has announced its decision to abstain from the upcoming second round of voting.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
