Ongeri John, Dar es Salaam | Tuesday
THE opposition Civic United Front (CUF), which lost presidential elections on the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar by 0,4% in 1995, has criticised police for allegedly siding with the ruling party in a series of public clashes that has left hundreds imprisoned and scores in hospital.
CUF presidential candidate Seif Shariff Hamad said police bias was so serious he had lodged a formal written complaint with the Zanzibar Electoral Commission at the weekend.
“We have also written to police inspector general Omar Mahita but have yet to get a response. The electoral commission has, however, already promised us a meeting, where senior police officers will also be invited to discuss the matter,” said Hamad.
Hamad warned that growing civic unrest must not be allowed to derail the elections on October 29, and said the CUF would monitor voting and vote counting closely to ensure elections were free and fair.
“We are confident of an election victory this year despite police intimidation on both Zanzibar’s major islands of Pemba and Unguja, and will not allow irregularities to rob us of our rightful place,” said Hamad.
Hamad, who polled 49.8% during the last presidential elections in 1995, narrowly lost to incumbent president Salmin Amour, who polled 50.2%.
Voter registration ran relatively smoothly on the island earlier this year, but opposition and ruling party supporters began clashing almost immediately after election campaigning began 26 day ago.
The public clashes, which have included raids on each other’s rallies, attacks on party offices and intimidation of party workers, prompted a serious of police crackdowns and virtual ban on large public gatherings.
Police have declined to confirm how many people have been arrested during the unrest, but local newspapers and political commentators claim hundreds are behind bars for public violence.
Both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar go to polls on October 29 to elect a Tanzanian Union president, Zanzibar president, members of parliament, Zanzibar representatives and local government councillors in the islands and on the mainland. – African Eye News Service
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