• Voters in Comoros are heading to the polls to elect the country's 33-seat parliament.
• The elections come a year after President Azali Assoumani's re-election, which was marred by allegations of irregularities.
• Approximately 338,000 voters are expected to participate, with polling stations opening at 8 a.m.
• Opposition parties are split on whether to boycott the election, amid fears of authoritarianism.
• Results are expected by January 17, 2025.

On Sunday, voters in Comoros head to the polls to elect a new 33-seat parliament, a crucial event following the controversial re-election of President Azali Assoumani last year, which many opposition groups alleged was tainted by irregularities [VOA][Reuters].

The polling stations opened early, with around 338,000 registered voters expected to cast their ballots starting at 8 a.m. local time. The nation last conducted parliamentary elections in January 2020, marking a significant shift as nearly 100 candidates have been authorized by the Supreme Court to run in this election.

Assoumani, who has maintained power since 1999 after a coup, is accused of authoritarianism and consolidating power, especially with concerns about his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, being groomed as his successor when his term concludes in 2029. Detractors have claimed that the President's increased control over government affairs jeopardizes the democratic process.

Furthermore, while some political factions, most notably the Juwa party, have urged a boycott due to these tensions—stemming from recent executive overreach—other groups argue that participating will further highlight the flaws within the regime. A notable voice against the participation comes from opposition member Hamidou Karihila, who asserts that engaging in the electoral process could "accelerate its inevitable fall."

Polls are scheduled to close at 4 p.m., with results anticipated by January 17, thus marking a pivotal moment in Comoros' political landscape amidst an environment of unrest and skepticism about electoral integrity.