Comoros records peaceful election

Presidential election in the Comoro Islands was held peacefully on Sunday from a crowded field of 25 candidates. About 159,000 voters participated in the election.

According to observers, the election was held peacefully, however, there were delays in the polling stations.

Election centres in the country of less than one million people officially opened early in the morning although some voters were delayed due to late arrival of voting materials.

Observers said the various polling stations were equipped with anti-fraud election devices. Election board disallowed votes by proxy as it was the case during general election in 2015 tagged “fraudulent”.

Many Comorans are hoping for a change with this election.

“I believe this election is very important for us the youths because the future is in our hands, it is a decisive day for us,” a voter. Some of the candidates include current vice-president Mohamed Ali Soilihi, former Head of State, Azali Assoumani and Fahmi Saïd Ibrahim.

However, former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi’s candidate appears as the favorite.

Voters from Grand Comore island had their election under an unusual electoral system that decrees the president selection on a rotational basis from one of the major islands.

After the first round, the three top candidates will go into a nationwide run-off on April 10 that will decide the successor to President Ikililou Dhoinine.

The current president comes from Moheli, the smallest of the three main islands.