Union of the Comoros: President, 10 April 2016

At stake in this election:

• The office of the President of the Union of the Comoros

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011)
• Head of Government: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011)
• Assembly: Comoros has a unicameral Assembly of the Union with 33 seats.

Description of electoral system:

• The President is elected by absolute majority vote to serve a five year term. The office of the President rotates between Comoros’ three islands. In the presidential election, in the first round only voters on the island vote for president, while in the run-off, all three islands vote. The 2016 election will consist of candidate from Grand Comore Island.

Last Election:

• The first round of this presidential election was held on 21 February 2016. Mohamed Ali SOILIHI won the first round with 17.61% of the vote, followed by Mouigni Baraka Said SOILIHI with 15.09% and Colonel Azali ASSOUMANI with 14.96%. These three candidates will compete in the second-round. 

Main candidates in the election:

• Mohamed Ali SOILIHI
  • The Union for the Development of Comoros / L’Union pour le Développement des Comores (UPDC)
• Mouigni Baraka Said SOILIHI
  • Democratic Rally of the Comoros / Rassemblement Démocratique des Comores (RDC)
• Azali ASSOUMANI
  • Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros / Convention pour le Renouveau des Comores (CRC)

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 780,971 (July 2015 est.)
• Registered Voters: 301,060

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 402,596 (July 2015 est.)
• Is Comoros a signatory to CEDAW: No
• Has Comoros ratified CEDAW: No[2]
• Gender Quota: No
• Female candidates in this election: Yes
• Number of Female Parliamentarians: 1
• Human Development Index Position: 159 (2014)
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

• Is Comoros a signatory to CRPD: Yes (26 September 2007)
• Has Comoros ratified CRPD: No
• Population with a disability: 117,146 (July 2015 est.)