The electoral campaign concluded on Friday, January 12, ahead of the dual polls scheduled for Sunday. Comorian citizens are poised to cast their votes to elect the future governors of the three islands—Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli. Crucially, they will also decide on the nation’s next president. The officially four-week-long campaign, which commenced on December 17, has been characterized by a notable absence of violence but an undercurrent of palpable tension.
Throughout the archipelago, the six candidates traversed the landscape, often accompanied by their respective gubernatorial contenders. However, the so-called “gubernatorial” elections were logically overshadowed by the presidential race.
Azali Assoumani has held the reins of power since 2016. Having modified the constitution to seek re-election, he has implored the Comorian populace to grant him the mandate to continue his initiatives. Electoral observers have raised concerns about the incumbent president’s camp utilizing state resources for campaigning purposes.
Nevertheless, opposition candidates have been able to conduct their rallies freely. Despite a collective call for political alternation, none of them seemed genuinely optimistic, as their speeches resonated with accusations of an impending “electoral heist.”
The political landscape in Comoros reflects a complex interplay of democratic processes and power dynamics. As the nation anticipates the outcome of the elections, the atmosphere remains charged with both the aspirations for change and the apprehensions surrounding the integrity of the electoral process.
In this context, the peaceful conduct of the campaign, despite its underlying tension, underscores the commitment of the Comorian people to democratic values. The forthcoming election results will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the nation, determining not only its leadership but also the resilience of its democratic institutions in the face of political challenges.