Comoros: Operation "ghost town" fails to yield desired results

The 19 candidates protesting the first round results of Comoros’ presidential elections have failed to achieve their “ghost town” action.

The candidates had called for a complete halt of activities in the capital as part of their demand for a recount of results from the first round poll which they say is fraught with fraud.

But main markets in the capital Monori were busy as usual in the early hours of Monday.

Public administrators, banks and shops also opened their doors for business but the forces of law and order remained discrete.

The decision to organise the “ghost town” operation was taken on Saturday at a gathering held by 19 presidential candidates to denounce “massive fraud” in the election.

Ruling party candidate Mohamed Ali Soilihi came first in the election with 17.61 percent followed closely by Mouigni Baraka who obtained 15.09 percent of the votes.

Fahmi Said, who came fourth was first to cry foul claiming everything was done to relegate him to the background.

The candidates believe the vice president, Mohamed Ali Soilihi was favoured during the election.

Two other candidates Said Larifou and Bourhane Hamadou who came in 5th and 6th respectively have insisted the election was transparent.

Bourhane Hamidou, a former chairman of the Federal Assembly, has called on everyone to preserve peace and stability in the nation.

The 25 candidates who contested the first round of the polls are all from the island of Grande-Comore in accordance with a 2001 constitution which instituted a rotating presidency among Anjouan, Grande-Comore and Mohéli.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged all actors involved in the electoral process to play by the rules.