The people of Comoros go to the polls on Sunday, with President Azali Assoumani expected to win re-election amid a partial opposition boycott. Some voters are disillusioned after a year of economic difficulties and a major row over immigration to neighbouring Mayotte, an island in the archipelago that is a part of France.
Assoumani took power in a coup in 1999 before stepping down in 2002 and then winning again in 2016. He has dominated this election campaign.
The former military officer has also served as the chair of the African Union for the past year.
The five candidates running against him all have contested the constitutional reform that enabled him to run for a third mandate. They have also expressed fears about the election's credibility.
The electoral commission has assured voters and observers that the election will be transparent.
Regional observer missions, including from the African Union, said the last election in 2019 was riddled with irregularities.
'Not going to vote'
Comorans are concerned about their rights and freedoms, and also about difficulties that plague their lives like high cost of living and unsanitary conditions.
At the sprawling Volo Volo market in the capital, Moroni, a local told RFI that electricity is not available outside the city. He also shared: "We don't want to leave our country, but life is catastrophic here. Some prefer to take a boat and try to go anywhere else."
He added: "That's why I'm not going to vote."
Half of the Comoros's 870,000-strong population is under the age of 20, according to figures from the World Bank. Some 300,000 Comorans live abroad, many in France, its former colonial ruler.
Street vendor Ahmed told RFI that "there are no jobs" in the Comoros.
"Salaries are very low. Customs taxes are very high. It blocks us. We can't open a business or start a project," he said.
Another vendor, Abdou, believes that "voting is not the solution" and told RFI that he did not trust the candidates.
Tensions with Mayotte
The Comoros has also been facing off with France over migration to Mayotte. The Comoros still lay claim to the island despite the department opting to remain with France in a 2009 referendum.
Assoumani refused the forced repatriation of thousands of Comorans who made their way to Mayotte, nor would he accept financial compensation to take in undocumented Comorans from Mayotte.
Several opponents have called for voters to stay home and boycott the vote, including a group that is exiled in France.
Assoumani has vowed the election will go ahead despite boycott calls.
"Those who don't want the elections to take place have two options: stay at home or leave the country," he told reporters this week.
(with Reuters)
