Comoros will conduct elections for its 33-seat parliament on January 12, amid a controversial political climate marked by opposition parties announcing a boycott of the polls. The Indian Ocean archipelago, home to nearly 800,000 residents, last held parliamentary elections in January 2020, and the upcoming vote is significant for the country’s political landscape.
Earlier this year, President Azali Assoumani secured re-election for another five-year term, but his victory has been met with substantial opposition criticism. Rival parties have vehemently contested the election results, alleging widespread voting irregularities, including instances of ballot stuffing and the premature closing of polling stations—claims that the government firmly denies.
Salim Issa Abdillah, leader of the opposition JUWA party, stated their position clearly, confirming the boycott and expressing a lack of confidence in Assoumani’s administration. Abdillah emphasized, “We are not willing to participate in the legislative elections until the situation becomes clearer.” Additionally, the Orange party has chosen to withdraw from the electoral process, objecting to the president’s reappointment of Idrissa Said as the head of the electoral commission. They accuse Said of favoring the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC), a charge that Said has denied.
Critics of Assoumani argue that his governance style leans toward authoritarianism, raising concerns that he may be preparing his eldest son, Nour El-fath, to take over leadership when his current term ends in 2029. Assoumani, who initially came to power through a coup in 1999, has since won three elections, but his administration faces ongoing scrutiny and skepticism from opposition factions.
