In the Comoros, 338,000 voters are expected to vote this Sunday, January 14, for the election of their governors and their president.
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The five opponents competing in the presidential election complained of not receiving accreditations on time and accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of obstruction. The CENI therefore announced an arrangement on Friday, January 12, agreeing to circumvent certain legal provisions to satisfy the opposition and allow its representatives access to the polling stations.
As a result, the presidential camp in turn rebels. Azali Assoumani’s campaign management “ considers that the candidates initiating this unprecedented request will be responsible » of the possible consequences of this decision described as “ illegal ” and that ” would compromise the smooth running of the vote. » For its part, the opposition continues to fear “ an electoral coup. »
National and international observers are supposed to monitor the voting. The international missions obtained their accreditations, but not the Comorian civil society organizations, who tried in vain to recover them until the last minute, this Saturday evening. They do not hide their disappointment, but above all their concerns about the risk of fraud.
Azali Assoumani, in power since 2016, is seeking a new term. Facing him, five candidates advocate alternation. A fringe of the opposition is calling for a boycott. The opposition expresses many fears about the transparency and credibility of the election. These latest developments and this final exchange of arms between the presidential camp and the opposition candidates further testify to the climate of mistrust and tension in which the Comorians are called to go to the polls this Sunday.
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