Tanzania opposition demands election rerun
Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
Main opposition contender in Tanzania's elections, Dr. Willibald Slaa, has challenged the Tanzania National Elections commission to stop announcing provincial results and start the presidential race afresh. He said he will not accept the results if incumbent president and Chama cha Mapinduzi's (CCM) party leader, Jakaya Kikwete, is pronounced winner.
“The figures at polling stations and those that are released by the electoral commission do not tally. It is obvious we are gaining and we are possible winners,” he said in a BBC Focus on Africa report monitored by Africanews.
“We demand a rerun in the presidential race,” he emphasized. Claims of irregularities and suspicious poll activities have been reported even by international observers including in Mwanza town.
There have been no expressions from Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, leader of the third largest party competing for the top national position, the Civic United Front (CUF).
Meanwhile the electoral body has since dismissed the claims.
If Kikwete wins, he will be re-elected for his second and last term, leading the vast African country with the sworn-in Zanzibari leader, Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein, as his vice.
Elections results, for the polls that took place on Sunday the 31st 2010, are expected officially out this coming Friday. Kikwete is optimistic to win and was reported to be considering his new cabinet.
On the island of Zanzibar, however, Kikwete’s loyal revolutionary CCM follower, Dr. Shein follower was been sworn in as president after the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) experienced a smooth election.
An albino also won a seat in the House of Representatives slated to convene soonest.
ZEC late Wednesday announced Dr Shein won the presidential race in Zanzibar to become the seventh Zanzibar president. He won 50.1 percent of votes while Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, the leader of the main opposition The CUF got 49 percent.
The two are expected to form a unity government that will include a President from the winning CCM, first Vice President from CUF and second Vice President from CCM.
The announcement came amidst tension caused by the delay in announcing the final results by Electoral Commissions in Zanzibar and in mainland Tanzania.
The last elections on the island led to deadly running battles between party supporters and also against the police.
