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Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Ambassadors call for impartiality of institutions and authorities in charge of Tanzania elections

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

As Tanzania now moves toward October 28 general elections, the heads of mission of 11 donor countries have highlighted the importance of free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections.

Chadema Presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu's rally in Mwanza Tanzania

On October 28th of this year, Tanzania will hold a general election to elect a president and vice-president, members of parliament, and councillors.

In a statement released on September 2, the heads of mission of 11 Embassies and Consulates, called on all stakeholders in the elections to embrace peace and reject violence.

They also urged law enforcement and administration to remain politically-neutral, and to protect all voters, activists, and candidates equally and fully.

“Now that the 2020 electoral campaigns have started, the heads of missions of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland in Tanzania extend our best wishes to all candidates contesting for the Presidential, Parliamentary and council positions.”  Reads the joint statement issued September 2.

Tanzania Opposition Leader to Run Against President in General Elections |  Voice of America - English
Chadema Presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu

They said that they equally express eager hope and anticipation that the process will see pledges for free and fair elections come true during the 2020 election period.

“We underline our support to the democratic process and the functioning of democratic institutions in Tanzania. We hope that men and women, young and elderly will have equal opportunities to participate throughout the remaining process.” The statement said.

The statement posted on the Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Elisabeth Jacobsen, twitter page read further: Enhanced transparency through means like internal and external observation, broad, free and equitable media coverage, as well as clear and fair adjudication of disputes, will also strengthen the legitimacy of the whole electoral process among Tanzania citizens.”

“We call on all stakeholders to commit to ensuring a secure environment for all contestants, respect for the rule of law and fully impartiality of the institutions and authorities in charge of managing the elections.” The Ambassadors’ statement said.

They said that as representatives of their countries they recall their long standing interest in and support for development and democracy in Tanzania based on long historic and close relationship.

The United States ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright said that “I fully agree with this message from some of my fellow Ambassadors to Tanzania. As I have said before, I look forward to seeing fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Tanzania this year, and will work with all stakeholders to make it happen.”

The High Commission of Canada to Tanzania also posted the same statement to their twitter page.

Last week, some key opposition leaders in Tanzania alleged foul play by ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party in collaboration with National Election Commission (NEC) as tensions rise in the run up to the general election.

Tanzania: Opposition cries foul over attacks on leaders as election looms |  Africa | DW | 10.06.2020
Ruling party CCM Presidential candidate, John Magufuli

The main opposition party (CHADEMA) and the ACT-Wazalendo (that has majority support in Zanzibar) said hundreds of their candidates were barred after objections filed by the ruling party and easily accepted by the NEC.

“Our parliamentary candidates and those of ACT-Wazalendo countrywide have been unlawfully disqualified,” Chadema Presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu said in his campaign rally. “There’s no credible democratic election without opposition candidates.”

He said following countrywide mass disqualifications of their parliamentary and civic candidates, he called for peaceful nationwide mass protests to demand immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all disqualified candidates.

Seif Shariff Hamad, the ACT-Wazalendo presidential candidate in the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar, told supporters to be prepared for mass action. 

“Enough is enough,” he said of party members being barred from the race.

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