Tundu Lissu cleared to challenge President Magufuli after 9 hours scrutiny

By Our Correspondent, DODOMA Tanzania

Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema Presidential flagbearer Tundu Lissu who cried foul over return of nomination papers by various candidates across the nation was cleared to challenge incumbent president John Magufuli in the October general elections.

Chadema Presidential flag bearer Tundu Lissu shake hands with the NEC Chairperson, Judge Semistocles Kaijage

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) is conducting the nomination process for Presidential candidates in this year’s polls today at its headquarters in Dodoma.

Lissu, 52, lamented Tuesday afternoon on twitter that Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission had subjected him to almost 9 hours of irregular scrutiny over his nomination papers yet the commission had told them the process would take only fifteen minutes.

‘’NEC can’t be serious, they informed us in writing, that the nomination process would take only 15 minutes each for all candidates, they quickly passed and cleared ruling party’s candidate, John Magufuli (CCM), the rest of us, challengers have been waiting for our turn since late morning,’’ the firebrand politician tweeted.

The former Singida East lawmaker says he was at the electoral commission headquarters at 11:45 AM East African time and was scheduled to present his papers between 12:00 to 12:15 AM but was put in waiting room up to 8:02 PM when he was announced nominated. 

He further alleges that there has been widespread irregularities and organized sabotage of the opposition candidates on the nomination day by Tanzania Police Force in collaboration with the local NEC Returning Officers.

Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission officers scrutinizing Tundu Lissu's nomination papers

‘’Eight of our candidates have been violently attacked and robbed of their nomination papers by gangs of armed thugs before submitting them to their respective returning officers,’’ protested Lissu. Asserting that seven of their other candidates have been arrested by the police when submitting their nomination forms to their respective returning officers.

The irregularities against the opposition parties has helped more than 20 ruling party Member of Parliament candidates win unopposed before elections.

Last year, Chadema and other opposition parties boycotted local government elections on allegation of government manipulations, including the mass disqualification of their candidates. Ruling party won more than 99 percent of the 12,000 village chairmanships contested, as well as all of the country's more than 4,000 street leadership positions.

According to Robert Amsterdam, Lissu’s international lawyer, John Magufuli is applying the coward’s playbook.

‘’He clearly fears Lissu, and will engage in every trick in the book to thwart the will of his own people,’’ the lawyer told Standard Digital.

His law firm, Amsterdam and Partners LLP has already written to Tanzanian President John Magufuli and the nation’s Chief Justice Ibrahim Juma seeking assurances on the security of their client, Tundu Lissu.

CCM’s John Pombe Magufuli was cleared Tuesday morning for a second term bid by the electoral commission. Magufuli is now going to face-off with Lissu as his main challenger in the presidential election.

Tundu Lissu visited Tunduma town recently to mobilize sponsors

Other Presidential candidates nominated by the electoral commission today, a day before the official campaign period tomorrow are Queen Cuthbert Sendiga (ADC), Philip Fumbo (DP), Seif Maalim Seif (AAFP), Yeremia Maganja (NCCR-Mageuzi) and Hashim Rungwe Spunda (CHAUMMA).

Others are Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF), Cecilia Augustiono Mwanga (Demokrasia Makini), Bernard Membe (ACT Wazalendo), Mutamwega Mgaiwa (SAU), John Shibuda (ADA-Tadea) and Leopold Mahona (NRA)

According to reports from Tanzania, some most influential and experienced NGOs that applied to observe election process have been denied permission by the electoral commission.

Institutions that have been left out include the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF), the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and the Tanzania Election Monitoring Committee (Temco).

They are known to have been key in providing voter education and observing past General Elections. - Africa