Comoros Ruling Party Claims 28 of 33 Parliamentary Seats in Elections

The ruling party of Comoros, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros, has won 28 out of 33 parliamentary seats, ensuring its majority in the government. The election results, reported by the electoral commission, await Supreme Court confirmation while several opposition parties boycotted the election citing fraud allegations. President Azali Assoumani has been a prominent figure in Comoros’ politics since 1999, with a history of military coups and controversial constitutional reforms.

In a significant electoral victory, Comoros’ ruling party, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC), secured 28 out of 33 parliamentary seats, as announced by the electoral commission. This success enables President Azali Assoumani’s party to maintain its parliamentary majority within the Indian Ocean archipelago. The election results, however, are yet to be confirmed by the Supreme Court, following an election that faced a boycott from several opposition parties who have alleged electoral misconduct against the CRC.

The Union of the Comoros consists of three islands located off the eastern coast of Africa, near Madagascar. Since achieving independence from France in 1975, the nation has witnessed numerous coups d’état, reflecting a turbulent political landscape. President Azali Assoumani, who initially ascended to power in 1999 through a coup, has had a complicated political journey, including a one-term hiatus from the presidency in 2006. His return to the presidency in 2016 and subsequent successive electoral victories were accompanied by constitutional changes in 2018 that allowed him to bypass term limits.

The recent electoral success of the ruling CRC highlights President Assoumani’s continued dominance in Comoros’ political sphere despite opposition allegations of fraud. The confirmation of these results by the Supreme Court will be crucial in solidifying the party’s authority. This election reinforces the long-standing power struggles in the nation, shaped significantly by its coup-riddled history and political dynamics.

Original Source: www.seattletimes.com