Collection of presidential election forms took off yesterday with a dramatic twist when the first aspirant was stuck in the elevator on the fourth floor for ten long minutes after collecting the forms from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) offices in Dar es Salaam.
Fahmy Dovutwa of the United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP), who arrived at the NEC offices at around 9 in the morning accompanied only by eight supporters, was stuck in the lift when coming down and was rescued by a NEC technician.
The candidate was not very pleased with the situation pouring scorn on the ruling party (CCM) for their incompetence.
He said the incident was not accidental but a planned deal by the CCM for him to get stuck in the elevator.
The aspirant had confidently walked into the NEC offices and received his forms majestically from John Kashura, NEC Assistant Officer.
The commission offered the candidate 10 sponsors’ forms but Dovutwa was not satisfied with the number of forms that he was given and requested the commission to provide extra forms.
According to Dovutwa, the forms could accidentally be stained by the sponsors therefore extra forms may serve the purpose.
However, the commission promised to take the matter into consideration and give him the feedback on Monday.
Despite this saga, Dovutwa said he is well prepared to fight for the presidential seat so that he can bring democracy and a just society.
Dovutwa said he will fulfill and implement promises that he made to the public. “I am ready to compete with other candidate on the field" he noted.
Another candidate who arrived at 12 pm was Markmillan Lymo, a presidential candidate from Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) led by three vehicles ahead of which was a motorcycle carrying the party's flag.
He was accompanied by 10 followers whereby three women supporters were proudly singing with joy and praise for their party leader.
According Lymo, this year’s election will be different and very competitive compared to other past general elections.
He urged the NEC to be fair and just by promoting transparency to avoid actions that may breach peace and security.
Lymo further explained that several actions from various political parties’ candidates in this year election portray breach of peace.
He invited candidates from other political parties who wish to join the party to step forward and contest for different seats carrying TLP flag.
In the afternoon it was a time for another presidential aspirant to step forward and pick up forms from NEC offices. It was no other than Rev Christopher Mtikila who arrived at 2 pm sharp in the NEC office.
However, he was not accompanied by any supporter like other candidates.
He went straight to the NEC offices where few minutes later his supporters cameby searching for their party leader.
They rushed to their party leader so that they can give him the support he need for the coming general election.
Mtikila took more time than other candidates who had gone to pick up their forms, explaining that he had gone to pay a visit to the NEC chairman Judge Damian Lubuva for more clarification on some issues regarding election.
According to Mtikila legality and validity in election were important aspect of free and fair election.
He said most of the officials in NEC are the Judges in court of appeal which he said might be an obstacle for candidates who wish to appeal at the court for justice. Mtikila said several action in the election process have been proved to be unfair which further lead candidates to seek justice.
He said if chosen to be president, he will rule the country by God’s will and promote democracy in the country.
Fahmy Dovutwa of the United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP), who arrived at the NEC offices at around 9 in the morning accompanied only by eight supporters, was stuck in the lift when coming down and was rescued by a NEC technician.
The candidate was not very pleased with the situation pouring scorn on the ruling party (CCM) for their incompetence.
He said the incident was not accidental but a planned deal by the CCM for him to get stuck in the elevator.
The aspirant had confidently walked into the NEC offices and received his forms majestically from John Kashura, NEC Assistant Officer.
The commission offered the candidate 10 sponsors’ forms but Dovutwa was not satisfied with the number of forms that he was given and requested the commission to provide extra forms.
According to Dovutwa, the forms could accidentally be stained by the sponsors therefore extra forms may serve the purpose.
However, the commission promised to take the matter into consideration and give him the feedback on Monday.
Despite this saga, Dovutwa said he is well prepared to fight for the presidential seat so that he can bring democracy and a just society.
Dovutwa said he will fulfill and implement promises that he made to the public. “I am ready to compete with other candidate on the field" he noted.
Another candidate who arrived at 12 pm was Markmillan Lymo, a presidential candidate from Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) led by three vehicles ahead of which was a motorcycle carrying the party's flag.
He was accompanied by 10 followers whereby three women supporters were proudly singing with joy and praise for their party leader.
According Lymo, this year’s election will be different and very competitive compared to other past general elections.
He urged the NEC to be fair and just by promoting transparency to avoid actions that may breach peace and security.
Lymo further explained that several actions from various political parties’ candidates in this year election portray breach of peace.
He invited candidates from other political parties who wish to join the party to step forward and contest for different seats carrying TLP flag.
In the afternoon it was a time for another presidential aspirant to step forward and pick up forms from NEC offices. It was no other than Rev Christopher Mtikila who arrived at 2 pm sharp in the NEC office.
However, he was not accompanied by any supporter like other candidates.
He went straight to the NEC offices where few minutes later his supporters cameby searching for their party leader.
They rushed to their party leader so that they can give him the support he need for the coming general election.
Mtikila took more time than other candidates who had gone to pick up their forms, explaining that he had gone to pay a visit to the NEC chairman Judge Damian Lubuva for more clarification on some issues regarding election.
According to Mtikila legality and validity in election were important aspect of free and fair election.
He said most of the officials in NEC are the Judges in court of appeal which he said might be an obstacle for candidates who wish to appeal at the court for justice. Mtikila said several action in the election process have been proved to be unfair which further lead candidates to seek justice.
He said if chosen to be president, he will rule the country by God’s will and promote democracy in the country.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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