Opposition in Comoros rejects results of legislative elections

The opposition in Comoros has vehemently rejected the results of recent legislative elections, calling them “grossly fraudulent.”

On Monday, Daoud Abdallah Mohamed, a former interior minister and leader of the United Opposition coalition, condemned the polls, alleging ballot box stuffing and irregularities.

“In several stations, there were more votes than registered voters,” Mohamed stated, citing the lack of transparency in the two-round vote.

Most opposition leaders boycotted Sunday’s elections, arguing the process was unfair.

The vote was held to elect 33 lawmakers, but turnout was markedly low in opposition areas.

The independent electoral commission in Anjouan, Comoros’ most populous island, declared that 12 candidates from the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) party had won.

These candidates reportedly secured between 60 and 100 percent of the vote, with a claimed 70 percent voter turnout.

However, observers noted discrepancies. “There was a small turnout, but strangely enough, the ballot box filled up quickly,” one anonymous source said.

The election minister, Fakridine Mahamoud, has not responded to inquiries.

On Moheli Island, four out of five constituencies only featured candidates from the ruling CRC party.

In one constituency, an opponent withdrew midway through the race.

President Azali Assoumani, who has held power since 2016, rejected accusations of election fraud.

“It’s not the first time the opposition has denounced elections,” he remarked. “Now, it’s up to them to prove their claims.”

A second round of voting is scheduled for February 16, but Mohamed announced that the United Opposition would not participate.

Scroll to Top