Comoros Blocks Opposition Candidate From Presidential Elections

(Bloomberg) -- Comoros blocked the main opposition party’s presidential candidate from participating in the archipelago’s election next month, citing invalid paperwork.

Ibrahim Mohamed Soule of the Juwa party was among seven candidates who were dismissed, Harmiat Ahmed, chairwoman of the Supreme Court’s administrative section told reporters in Moroni, the capital. Some 13 candidates remain eligible, and the decision can’t be challenged.

Another candidate who was dismissed was former Finance Minister Mohamed Ali Soilih, from the Updc party. Soilih “did not disclose part of his estate,” according to the court.

The first round of the presidential election in the coup-prone nation is scheduled for March 24. If no candidate garners more than 50 percent of the vote, a second round will take place. President Azali Assoumani is running for a second consecutive term after the won a controversial referendum in July that extended term limits.

To contact the reporters on this story: Faiza Soule Youssouf in Johannesburg at fsouleyousso@bloomberg.net;Kamlesh Bhuckory in Port Louis at kbhuckory1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net, John Bowker

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