MORONI, Jan 15 — The Comoros ruling party claimed a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, securing 28 out of 33 seats, according to the Independent National Election Commission (CENI). The results, announced on Tuesday, mark a significant gain for the ruling party, which previously held 22 of the 24 seats in the outgoing parliament. The number of seats was increased following a 2023 legal change.
However, the elections were marred by controversy, as opposition parties rejected the results. The main opposition group, the Juwa party, boycotted the vote, citing concerns over transparency and accusing the government of electoral fraud. Juwa Secretary General Hassane Ahmed el-Barwane called the elections a “farce,” accusing the government of ballot stuffing.
Other opposition parties that participated in the elections also voiced their disapproval, alleging irregularities and claiming their representatives were expelled from polling stations when they raised concerns about fraud. Abdallah Mohamed, spokesperson for the opposition, said their objections were ignored.
Despite these allegations, Elections Minister Fakridine Mahamoud dismissed the fraud claims, urging the opposition to present evidence in court if they believed the elections were unfair.
President Azali Assoumani, who voted in the election, rejected the accusations of fraud, asserting that the process was legitimate. His critics, however, accuse him of authoritarianism and suggest he is preparing his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, to succeed him after his term ends in 2029.
