KEY POINTS
- Comoros will hold parliamentary elections on January 12, 2025.
- Opposition parties plan to boycott the poll, citing distrust in President Assoumani.
- Electoral body leadership under scrutiny for alleged bias toward the ruling party.
On January 12, 2025, Comoros will hold elections for its 33-seat parliament after a formal order was issued. Opposition parties, however, have declared their intention to abstain from the polls due to their mistrust in President Azali Assoumani’s leadership, who was re-elected earlier this year.
Opposition leaders express concerns about fairness
Ongoing political difficulties in the Indian Ocean archipelago are reflected in the opposition parties’ decision to abstain from the parliamentary elections. The leader of the opposition JUWA party, Salim Issa Abdillah, stated that they will not take part, expressing doubt about Assoumani’s promises.
“We’re going to abstain from the elections… We don’t trust Azali Assoumani because he would never follow through on his promises,” Abdillah stated.
Another opposition group, the Orange Party, also announced that it would not participate in the elections. The opposition says that President Assoumani’s choice to re-appoint Idrissa Said as head of the electoral board favors the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) party, which is why they made this decision. These accusations have been refuted by Said.
Ruling party faces ongoing criticism
Opponents have criticized Assoumani for his political domination, accusing him of having authoritarian inclinations. Many believe he plans to prepare Nour El-fath, his eldest son, to succeed him when his reign ends in 2029.
Assoumani’s ascent to power in a 1999 coup marked the beginning of his decades-long impact in Comoros. He has since won three elections and is still in control, while opposition discontent is heightened by claims of electoral fraud.
According to Reuters, the government has refuted accusations of electoral malpractice, such as ballot stuffing and early voting station closures during Assoumani’s reelection in January, despite condemnation.
Electoral body under scrutiny
Idrissa Said’s reappointment has increased the opposition’s skepticism of the democratic process. They contend that Said’s leadership unfairly benefits the incumbent party, further eroding the legitimacy of the election.
Assoumani’s government is still committed to holding the election. This would be the next phase of the conflict between the opposition and the government.
