Tanzania opposition parties demand fresh election as foreign ambassadors react

By Our Correspondent, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

Tanzania's two main opposition parties have demanded fresh elections, after denouncing last week's presidential vote as fraudulent.

The Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo parties, in a joint news conference, also called for mass protests from Monday.

Incumbent President John Magufuli was declared victor in Wednesday's election with 84% of the vote.

Chadema alleges ballot boxes were tampered with after its agents were stopped from entering polling stations.

"We first call for fresh elections as soon as possible," the party's chairman, Freeman Mbowe, said on Saturday. "We call for continuous, peaceful, countrywide demonstrations until our demands are met."

ACT-Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe said the decision was for "the future of our country".

"We cannot accept going back to a one-party system," he added.

Tundu Lissu - Chadema's candidate for president and Magufuli's main rival - won just 13% of the vote. 

He said on Thursday it "was not an election by both Tanzanian and international laws. It was just a gang of people who have just decided to misuse state machinery to cling to power".

The head of the National Electoral Commission, Semistocles Kaijage, said allegations of fake ballot papers were unsubstantiated.

An observer mission from the East African Community said the election was "conducted in a regular manner." 

The US embassy in Dar es Salaam said that "irregularities and the overwhelming margins of victory raise serious doubts about the credibility of the results... as well as concerns about the government of Tanzania's commitment to democratic values".

High Commission of Canada to Tanzania also said that it is disturbed by reports of arrests and violence against political candidates and supporters.

"Protection of civilians is essential for peace and stability. Canada calls on the government of Tanzania to investigate and prosecute those who have violated human rights." It's statement said.

David Concar, the UK High Commissioner to Tanzania said yesterday on his Twitter page that: "I am concerned by this morning’s reports from Zanzibar of violence associated with the elections. I appeal to all involved in the elections to act with restraint and integrity to ensure the will of the people can be expressed peacefully at the ballot box.

Magufuli has been president since 2015 but his CCM party has been in power since independence in 1961. - Africa