Comoran military leader Colonel Azali Assoumani Monday declared an overwhelming victory in Sunday's presidential elections boycotted by his rivals. 

Colonel Azali thanked his supporters in an address broadcast over Comoros state radio. 

Officials say he won at least 75 percent of the vote. 

Both of his opponents - former Army Colonel Mahamoud Mradabi and politician Sai Ali Kemal - boycotted the election, charging vote-rigging. 

The voting was marred by scattered violence. Angry youths set up road blocks in the capital Moroni Monday to protest the results, and workers returned home early to avoid confrontations. 

The Comoros have been plagued by chronic instability, with more than 20 coups or attempted coups since the islands gained independence from France in 1975. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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