The decision of the Constitutional Court, which cannot be contested, also deemed the petitioner, Maliza Said Soilihi, a Franco-Comorian lawyer, ineligible to file the petition. Soilihi argued before the court, “The electoral code, enacted in 2023, outlines the procedures for implementing this fundamental right.”
Comoros’ Supreme Court made a significant decision on September 9, declining to grant voting rights to the diaspora and thereby dismissing an appeal requesting their inclusion in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for next year. The Constitutional Court, which serves as the highest judicial authority in Comoros, ruled that the application was “inadmissible,” according to a report by AFP. While the electoral code theoretically permits Comorians living abroad to participate in elections, the practical mechanisms for their voting have not been established.
It is worth noting that approximately one in three Comorians resides in the diaspora.
The decision of the Constitutional Court, which cannot be contested, also deemed the petitioner, Maliza Said Soilihi, a Franco-Comorian lawyer, ineligible to file the petition. Soilihi argued before the court, “The electoral code, enacted in 2023, outlines the procedures for implementing this fundamental right.”
Characterizing the refusal as a “violation of fundamental rights,” she called for “necessary measures to ensure the inclusion of Comorian citizens living abroad in the electoral registry” for the upcoming presidential election.
In response to the court’s decision, she expressed her intention to pursue the case with “supra-national bodies.” The Comorian community in France is estimated to number 300,000, with over half residing in Marseille. In contrast, the three islands of the Comoros themselves have an official population of approximately 870,000, according to available statistics.
Comoros is set to conduct presidential and regional elections no later than February. President Azali Assoumani, who was attending the G20 summit in India, is seeking re-election. Assoumani, a controversial figure, came to power in 1999 through a coup, and his tenure has been marked by the arrest of numerous political opponents. Many individuals critical of his regime have sought refuge in countries such as France.
Maliza Said Soilihi, aged 39 and a former local council member in Marseille, a city in France often regarded as an extension of the Comoros due to its substantial Comorian community, submitted her application in August, asserting that she was acting “as a citizen.”
In response to the court’s decision, she expressed her intention to pursue the case with “supra-national bodies.” The Comorian community in France is estimated to number 300,000, with over half residing in Marseille. In contrast, the three islands of the Comoros themselves have an official population of approximately 870,000, according to available statistics.
****************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com
