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Election Results to Determine Fate of Comoros Islands President, Mayor Says

   The chairman of the mayorâs association of Grande Comoros said results
   from  the  second round of parliamentary elections are scheduled to be
   released Monday.

   Peter Clottey | Washington, DC 20 December 2009

   The chairman of the mayor's association of Grande Comoros said results
   from  the  second round of parliamentary elections are scheduled to be
   released Monday.

   Mohammed  Mchangama  said President Ahmed Abdalla Sambi will soon know
   whether   the  new  parliament  will  endorse  or  reject  the  recent
   referendum which extended his term limit.

   "It  is  more  important to know whether the next union parliament and
   the  district  assemblies of the island what kind of majority if there
   would  be  enough  majority maybe to change to give President Sambi to
   allow him to continue. As he himself interpret the constitution saying
   that  if  he  has  a  majority of two-thirds... that will allow him to
   continue his mandate and not to go in May 2010," he said.

   President  Sambi,  who was originally scheduled to step down next May,
   won a referendum that extended his mandate by a year.

   Mchangama said the election was peaceful despite reported tensions.

   "It  has  been  overall  peaceful.  I  mean there have been some minor
   incidents  in  the  morning...  when the elections started, but it has
   been  very  few  places. I have been to Ntsoudjini and in the north of
   Moroni... but there was no instance," Mchangama said.

   An  opposition  member  warned  the country could plunge into chaos if
   there are indications of vote rigging.

   Mchangama said the results could determine if the vote was rigged.

   "It is true that there have been a lot of nervousness in the last days
   and  accusations  against the government taking every means to rig the
   election.  So,  far there has not been evidence that has been shown to
   the public. So, people, I think will wait for the results that have to
   come  today...I  don't  know  whether  it  will  destabilize the whole
   islands  altogether  but certainly there could be tough consequences,"
   Mchangama said.

   The  coalition headed by President Sambi's party won a majority in the
   December 6 local government elections.

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