Elections in the Comoros take place within the framework of a multi-party democracy and a presidential system. The President and the majority of the seats in the Assembly of the Union are directly elected.
The Comorian Union for Progress is a political party in the Comoros.
Among men who can afford it, the preferred form of marriage appears to be polygyny with matrilocal residence. Although possible, the first marriage is formally initiated with the grand marriage when possible, subsequent unions involve much simpler ceremonies. The result is that a man will establish two or even more households and will alternate residence between them, a reflection, most likely, of the trading origins of the Shirazi elite who maintained wives at different trading posts. Said Mohamed Djohar, elected president in 1990, had two wives, one in Njazidja and the other in Nzwani, an arrangement said to have broadened his appeal to voters. For men, divorce is easy, although by custom a divorced wife retains the family home.
Presidential elections were held in the Comoros on 7 November 2010, with a second round on 26 December, alongside gubernatorial elections for the three main islands. The result was a victory for Ikililou Dhoinine, who received 61% of the vote.
An independence referendum was held in the Comoros on 22 December 1974. The overall result was a strong "yes" vote, with 94.57% of voters voting for independence and almost all the "no" votes being cast in Mayotte, where there was a majority for remaining under French control. In contrast, on Mohéli only five out of 6,059 votes were against independence. Voter turnout was 93.3%.
An referendum on the presidency of Ali Soilih was held in the Comoros on 28 October 1977. The result was 56.63% in favour and 43.37% against, with a 92.2% voter turnout. Despite the backing, Soilih was overthrown on 13 May 1978 by forces hired by exiled former leader Ahmed Abdallah, who was restored to power.
A constitutional referendum was held in the Comoros on 1 October 1978 following the overthrow of Ali Soilih on 13 May. The new constitution created a presidential and federal republic, granting each island its own legislature and control over taxes levied on individuals and businesses resident on the island, whilst reserving strong executive powers for the president. It also restored Islam as the state religion, while acknowledging the rights of those who did not observe the Muslim faith.
Parliamentary elections were held in the Comoros on 22 March 1987. The result was a victory for the Comorian Union for Progress, the sole legal party, which won all 42 seats in the first round of voting. Voter turnout was around 65%.
Presidential elections were held in the Comoros on 30 September 1984. Incumbent President Ahmed Abdallah of the Comorian Union for Progress was the only candidate, and received the support of 99.4% of voters.
A constitutional referendum was held in the Comoros on 5 November 1989. The proposed amendments to the constitution would allow incumbent President Ahmed Abdallah to run for a third term, as well as creating the post of Prime Minister. The changes were approved by 92.5% of voters.
Presidential elections were held in the Comoros on 4 March 1990, with a second round on 11 March. The elections had originally been scheduled for January, but were postponed, resulting in demonstrations. Elections were held on 18 February, but were abandoned due to fraud allegations.
A constitutional referendum was held in the Comoros on 20 October 1996. The proposed amendments would set the presidential term at 6 years, create a unicameral parliament, and limit the authority of the individual islands' parliaments. The proposals were approved by 85% of voters, with a turnout of around 64%.
A constitutional referendum was held in the Comoros on 23 December 2001. The proposed amendments to the constitution were approved by 77% of voters, with a turnout of 75.4%.
Parliamentary elections were held in the Comoros on 22 November 1992, with a second round on 29 November 1992. Due to electoral irregularities in the initial elections, there were also by-elections in six of the 42 constituencies on 13 and 20 December.
Parliamentary elections were held in the Comoros on 1 December 1996, with a second round in six seats on 8 December. The result was a victory for the National Rally for Development, which won 36 of the 43 seats, some of them uncontested. In addition to independent candidates, the only other party to run was the National Front for Justice following a boycott by several parties in protest at the lack of an independent electoral commission and revision of the electoral registers. Voter turnout was very low, at around 20%.
The Islands' Fraternity and Unity Party is a political party in the Comoros.
The National Union for Democracy in the Comoros was a political party in the Comoros.
An independence referendum was held on Anjouan, an island in the Comoros, on 26 October 1997. Over 99% of voters voted in favour of independence. However, the vote was not recognised and the island returned to the control of the Comorian government in 2001.
Early presidential elections will be held in the Comoros on 24 March 2019 alongside regional elections. If required, a second round will be held on 21 April.
