Comoros is holding its second round of parliamentary elections with about 340,000 voters. The first round, boycotted by the opposition, was claimed by the ruling party. President Assoumani has maintained power since 2016 following constitutional changes. Results from the current voting are expected within the week.
The island nation of Comoros is conducting its second round of parliamentary elections, with approximately 340,000 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots. Voting commenced at 8 a.m. local time and will continue until 4 p.m. on voting day. The Supreme Court has approved 100 candidates to run for the 33 seats in the parliament, with results anticipated throughout the following week.
The initial round of elections occurred on January 12, but the primary opposition, the Juwa party, chose to boycott it, citing issues of transparency and labeling the election a ‘farce.’ Consequently, the ruling party, Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros, claimed victory in that round by securing 28 of the 33 parliamentary seats.
Comoros is an archipelago situated off the African coast, near Madagascar, with a population of approximately 850,000. Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the nation has experienced numerous military coups. President Azali Assoumani has been in power since 2016 and extended his rule after a 2018 constitutional referendum eliminated presidential term limits.
The second round of parliamentary elections in Comoros follows a contentious first round boycotted by the opposition. With polling taking place for 100 candidates vying for parliamentary seats, the political landscape remains complex, shaped by the ruling party’s previous successes and the ongoing criticisms of the election process. As the country continues to grapple with its political identity post-independence, these elections are critical for its future governance.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
