2016 Comorian presidential election explained
| Country: | Comoros |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 2010 Comorian presidential election |
| Previous Year: | 2010 |
| Election Date: | 21 February 2016 (primary)
10 April 2016 (national) |
| Next Election: | 2019 Comorian presidential election |
| Next Year: | 2019 |
| Turnout: | 74.48% (primary)
69.12% (national) |
| Nominee1: | Azali Assoumani |
| Image1: | President Azali Assoumani Election Infobox.jpg |
| Party1: | Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros |
| Popular Vote1: | 81,214 |
| Percentage1: | 41.43% |
| Party2: | Union for the Development of the Comoros |
| Popular Vote2: | 77,736 |
| Percentage2: | 39.66% |
| Image3: | 3x4.svg |
| Nominee3: | Mouigni Baraka |
| Party3: | Democratic Rally of the Comoros |
| Popular Vote3: | 37,073 |
| Percentage3: | 18.91% |
| President |
| Before Election: | Ikililou Dhoinine |
| After Election: | Azali Assoumani |
| After Party: | CRC |
Presidential elections were held in the Comoros on 21 February 2016, with a second round to be held on 10 April 2016,[1] [2] alongside elections for the Governors of the three islands.[3] A re-run of the second round was held in thirteen constituencies on Anjouan on 11 May.[4] Azali Assoumani of the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros was elected President with 41% of the vote.
Electoral system
The presidency of the Comoros rotates between the country's three main islands; Anjouan, Grande Comore and Mohéli. The 2006 elections were limited to candidates from Anjouan and the 2010 elections to Mohélian candidates. As a result, the 2016 elections will see presidential candidacy limited to Grande Comore residents.[5]
A primary election took place on Grande Comore on 21 February, with the three top candidates progressing to the nationwide second round on 10 April, where a plurality determined the winner.
Campaign
On 30 October 2013 former President Ahmed Sambi launched the Juwa Party, announcing that he would run in the elections.[6]
Reactions
Domestic
- Mohamed Ali Soilihi, presidential candidate from the Union for the Development of the Comoros and former vice president of Comoros, rejected the results. Ali Soilihi alleged that the released results by the Independent National Electoral Commission is only partial and that the margin is too small for them to declare the results.[7]
International
- African Union: The African Union observers headed by Moncef Marzouki declared the elections to be free and transparent and was conducted in a peaceful manner.[8]
- : The Arab league declared the first round of elections free and fair.[9]
- : Prior to the election the European Union help fund and train Independent National Electoral Commission to help them conduct free and fair elections.[10] Though the EU did not send an observer mission to the isles, the International Francophonie Organization based in France sent an observer team. The organization commended both the people and the authorities that held the elections in a peaceful and orderly process.[11]
- : The UN Secretary general Ban Ki-moon commended the people for conducting the elections peacefully and requested that all members of the election resolve their issues in a peaceful and legal manner.[12]
Aftermath
After the provisional results were released, Mohamed Ali Soilihi refused to accept his defeat by Azali Assoumani and claimed that not all the results from Anjouan had been properly released and the margin was too narrow for CENI to declare a winner.[13] The Constitutional Court ordered a partial re-run to be held in 13 constituencies by 15 May.[14]
Notes and References
- Web site: Massey. Simon. 2016-02-18. Presidential Elections in the Comoros: Whose turn is it anyway?. 2023-01-07. African Arguments. en-GB.
- Web site: Comoros: Key presidential poll runoff set for Sunday, April 10. Africa News. 4 April 2016 . 2016-04-05.
- http://en.indian-ocean-times.com/Comoros-Elections-difficult-to-fund_a4406.html Comoros: Elections difficult to fund
- Web site: Key presidential re-run in Comoros on May 11. Africa News. 10 May 2016.
- Web site: Comoros: Government. 2023-01-07. Global Edge. en-us.
- Web site: Former president to stand again in 2016 election. 2023-01-07. Economist Intelligence Unit.
- Web site: Former Comoros Veep rejects presidential results. Africa News. 17 April 2016 . 2016-04-18.
- Web site: Soilihi 'wins First Round Of Comoros Elections'. ENCA. 2016-04-18.
- Web site: Observers Declare Comoros Legislative Election Free, Transparent Bloomberg. Verified Voting. en-US. 2016-04-18.
- Web site: PACTE Comoros II. European Centre for Electoral Support. 2016-04-18.
- News: Observers Declare Comoros Legislative Election Free, Transparent. Mmadi. Ali. Bloomberg. 25 February 2015 . 2016-04-18.
- Web site: Ki-moon Lauds Comoros For Peaceful Elections. Admin. News Ghana. 2016-04-18.
- Web site: Comoros runoff election results remains in doubt Africanews. AfricaNews. Africa News. 21 April 2016 . 2016-05-01.
- Web site: Comoros Court Orders Partial Re Run Of Presidential Poll. ENCA. 2016-05-01.
