CUF to boycott Isles poll re-run

DAILY NEWS Reporter

THE Civic United Front (CUF) has announced that it will not participate in the rerun of elections on March 20 following the annulment of the previous poll last October 25 by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC).

At its two-day meeting in Dar es Salaam, the CUF Governing Council agreed on the boycott, insisting that it still recognised last year’s general election as free and fair and hence no need for the re-run.

“We urge those who love their country and believe in the rule of law, democracy and have faith in the constitution not to participate in the election re-run as it is not valid,” read part of the statement by the council.

The council, however, had urged Zanzibaris to remain calm and patient to maintain the prevailing peace and harmony in the Isles.

The statement reads further that maintaining peace was not a weakness but something which will give more power to international community to make follow up on the rights of people of Zanzibar.

Zanzibar plunged into a political impasse after an unexpected annulment of election results by Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairman Jecha Salum Jecha, three days after counting and announcing of results of some constituencies.

Mr Jecha said in his announcement that the polls were marred by irregularities and fresh elections would be held in 90 days as stipulated by law.

The decision drew a hue and cry from the Opposition as well as attracting criticism from several election monitoring groups and foreign governments.

Soon after the cancellation, CUF presidential candidate, who was being backed by opposition coalition, Ukawa, Mr Seif Shariff Hamad, declared himself winner, claiming he had received 200,077 votes against 178,363 for the incumbent, President Ali Mohammed Shein.

CUF has already indicated it will not participate in a repeat election, with its Secretary General, Mr Hamad, expressing frustration at lack of progress in the talks with the ruling CCM to unlock the impasse before the latest development.

However, the Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr January Makamba, yesterday defended the ZEC, saying it was legitimate.

Mr Makamba told the National Assembly that ZEC was mandated by Zanzibar’s constitution and electoral laws and therefore the annulment of the election results and the re-run was legitimate and therefore no longer debatable.

He warned political leaders against inciting people and disrupt the prevailing peace and harmony, warning that blood would taint their hands if the country would be plunged into violence.