CCM accuses observers of endangering national peace, undermining ZEC

Outgoing president Jakaya Kikwete (L) with newly elected president John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO | AFP 

By David Kisanga

 A CCM affiliated Association of Higher Education in Zanzibar has accused international election observers on the island of using speech that endangers social order on the island and the entire country’s national peace.

Speaking to the media yesterday on the island, the association’s National Deputy Chairman, Hamid Saleh Muhina alleged that some of international observers are attempting to undermine the General Election on the island.

“They are giving speeches that may endanger the peace and stability of the country,” he said.

“They must follow the country’s laws and regulations before publishing any information to the public,” he went on to say citing the fact that only the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) has mandate to release to the public any information on the elections.

“The government has formed the commission to oversee the election processes and no one, not even the government itself, has authority to influence the commission,” he said.

Muhina took the opportunity to urge the public on the island to remain calm and wait for the commission to announce the new election date.

He also seized the moment to express the association’s displeasure with last week’s walk out during President John Magufuli’s opening of the eleventh parliament.