Zanzibar’s main opposition leader has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections, accusing the ruling party and the electoral commission of plotting to rig the vote. With a history of political instability and violence surrounding elections in the semi-autonomous archipelago, the accusations are fueling anxieties as Zanzibaris prepare to head to the polls.
Osman Masoud Osman, a leading candidate for the Zanzibar presidency, voiced his concerns in a statement to news agencies, alleging that the electoral commission is permitting ineligible voters to participate in what he described as an “early theft.” He specifically pointed to the presence of deceased individuals on the voter rolls, claiming the number was significant.
“Our review of the voter registry revealed a non-negligible number of deceased individuals still listed as eligible voters,” Osman stated. He further accused the electoral commission of planning to obstruct his party’s representatives from accessing polling stations, characterizing the monitoring process as “opaque and non-transparent.” This lack of transparency, he argued, creates an environment ripe for manipulation and undermines the fairness of the electoral process.
The Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), however, has vehemently denied these allegations. Chairman George Joseph Kazi dismissed the claims as “fake news” and insisted that the commission is adhering to the law. “There is no name of a deceased person on the registry, nor is there a minor. We have complied with the law, and the opposition is fabricating stories to use later to create tension,” Kazi told reporters. He maintained that the ZEC is committed to conducting free and fair elections.
Zanzibar, an archipelago with a population of approximately 1.9 million, has a troubled history of electoral violence and disputes. Past elections have been marred by accusations of rigging, intimidation, and post-election unrest. While the atmosphere has remained relatively calm leading up to this week’s vote, the opposition’s allegations have injected a dose of uncertainty and apprehension into the electoral process.
Around 700,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, choosing both the President of Tanzania from candidates representing the mainland and a local President for Zanzibar. The opposition has also criticized the decision to open polling stations early for two days, arguing that the island’s size does not warrant such an extended voting period and that it could be used to manipulate the results. They believe this extended period provides an opportunity for fraudulent activities to occur under the cover of darkness, making oversight and verification more difficult.
Beyond the integrity of the election itself, Osman also criticized what he described as the mainland’s “excessive role” in the island’s affairs. He argued that the relationship between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania is “unequal and unfair.” This sentiment reflects a long-standing tension between the semi-autonomous region and the central government in Dar es Salaam.
Zanzibar united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. The islands currently operate under a government of national unity, but the balance of power and influence between Zanzibar and the mainland remains a sensitive and contentious issue.
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The concerns raised by the Zanzibar opposition come as voters on the mainland prepare to head to the polls on October 29th. The mainland elections have also been plagued by controversy, with leading opposition candidates being barred from running. International organizations have expressed concerns about the overall environment surrounding the Tanzanian elections.
A recent report by Amnesty International described the pre-election climate as a “wave of terror,” citing instances of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. These allegations paint a grim picture of the human rights situation in Tanzania leading up to the vote and raise serious questions about the fairness and credibility of the electoral process across the country.
The combination of these factors – allegations of voter rigging in Zanzibar, restrictions on opposition candidates on the mainland, and documented human rights abuses – casts a long shadow over the upcoming elections in Tanzania. Whether these elections will be deemed free, fair, and credible by international observers remains to be seen. The stakes are high, as the outcome will not only determine the future leadership of Tanzania but also impact the stability and development of the region.
DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. The integrity of the electoral process is crucial for ensuring a peaceful and democratic future for Tanzania, and we remain committed to reporting on developments in a fair and impartial manner.
The international community is also watching closely, urging the Tanzanian government to ensure that the elections are conducted in a transparent and peaceful manner, and that the rights of all citizens are respected. The credibility of Tanzania’s democracy is on the line, and the coming days will be critical in determining whether the country can live up to its democratic ideals.
The outcome of these elections will have far-reaching consequences for the future of Tanzania. It is essential that all stakeholders – the government, the electoral commission, political parties, civil society organizations, and the international community – work together to ensure that the elections are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, and credible. Only then can Tanzania move forward on a path of peace, stability, and prosperity.
