Lowassa speaks out on state of politics

Former prime minister and Chadema presidential candidate supported by the Coalition of People�s Constitution in last year�s general election.

POLITICAL deadlock in Zanzibar, unfair supervision of polls by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), personal intimidation before election and suppression of democracy in parliament are among major issues the former Chadema presidential candidate in last year’s general election, Edward Lowassa, addressed during a media briefing in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

 

“Hurried conclusion of talks on the political stalemate in Zanzibar is a recipe for disaster and bitter consequences, thus urgently calling for a well thought-out redress. A lasting and equitable solution to the impasse in the isles should not be confined to two political parties, CCM and CUF, but requires inclusion of wider and divergent stakeholders,” Lowassa explained.

 

He sounded a warning that short of negotiations for an amicable resolve to the political standoff would complicate the situation and possibly eventually plunge the archipelago into violence. “The government of national unity,” the former PM said, “has prevailed and brought peace and stability to Zanzibar during the past five years. This can be sustained for another five years if the people’s choice of the person they would like to be their leader is respected.”

 

Commenting on the government hallowed transparency and independence of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Lowassa said he loathed the institution. 

 

“I hate them (NEC) very much because the Commission engineered the rigging of the election results, and so wrongly ended up declaring the CCM candidate as winner of the presidential election,” he said, adding:

 

“Unless we have an independent and fair electoral commission and a new constitution that prevents the ruling party from manipulating election results, no opposition party will ever ascend to power in this country. Regional commissioners, district commissioners and regional and district police chiefs who are appointed by CCM are usually instructed to make everything possible to ensure the party’s election victory. This commission is utterly  incompetent and unacceptable.”

 

Lowassa claimed that an independent and fair tally of election results showed that Chadema, which teamed up with the Ukawa allies, won last year’s election. 

 

“Our supporters knew that we had soundly won and so waited for my statement. However, I called for peace and tranquility following the rigging,” he explained. 

 

He recalled with sadness myriad intimidation tactics employed by some CCM leaders before he defected, adding that some of them used derogative statements to defame him and finally shelved his presidential candidacy. 

 

“Let’s focus on issues that bring us closer as a nation instead of dwelling on the past. But critical thinking is necessary for good-natured solutions or answers to nagging issues that put in jeopardy our long-cherished national unity,” the long-serving Monduli member of parliament said.

 

Lowassa strongly castigated allowing police units in the National Assembly debating chamber,  as it happened last week, describing it as disgraceful for a country that prided itself of being democratic.

“Politics is all about making points and sound arguments. Mwalimu Nyerere taught us that politicians can disagree without quarreling. It was politically incorrect to deploy police units in the National Assembly,” he said

 

As to the suspension by the government of live telecasts of National Assembly proceedings, Lowassa said it was completely wrong to deny millions of Tanzanians live coverage of parliamentary sessions under the pretext of cost saving. 

 

He condemned government officials who continued to harass local businesspersons who supported the opposition during last year’s election.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN