THE Union government has reiterated that it will not challenge the decision made by Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the fresh polls for the isles slated for March 20 as it has no constitutional mandate to dictate the electoral body.
The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr January Makamba, said in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday evening that ZEC is the independent body with powers to make its own decisions.
“The Union government respects the laws and constitution of Zanzibar, which gives ZEC the authority and mandate to make decisions,” said the minister during an interview on the state-run television -- TBC1.
Last year, ZEC nullified the October polls in Isles, citing massive irregularities and results cheating on Isles. There has been a call from various groups including politicians and activities pressing the union government to intervene in the political impasse in Zanzibar that has been caused by polls annulment.
Union President John Magufuli has distanced himself from intervening in the impasse, pointing out that by doing so, he would be interfering into the independence of the Isles’ electoral body.
According to ZEC Chairman Jecha Salim Jecha, the flaws included rampant disputes among parties’ agents while many votes, largely on Pemba Island, surpassed the number of voters on the register, further noting that some candidates went to the extent of declaring themselves winners.
As for legitimacy of Zanzibar President Mohamed Shein to remain in power pending fresh polls, Mr Makamba, noted that Dr Shein is in office legally in accordance to the Zanzibar constitution.
“The constitution of Zanzibar stipulates clearly that a person elected president shall hold the office of president until his or her successor takes oath,” he observed.
Mr Makamba pointed out that the country was undergoing a major transformation as President Magufuli has promised to bring positive changes whereby natural resources would be used for the benefit of all Tanzanians.
“We’re into a new era whereby new hope has been created…there are a few who will be hurt. But that would be in the best interest of the majority Tanzanians,” he said.
On union matters, Mr Makamba said his ministry has prepared a programme based on a new strategy aimed at ironing out shortcomings in the 52-year political marriage, saying the programme will be carried out after the March election in Zanzibar.
He named the burning issues to be addressed by the new programme as employment of Zanzibaris in the union, inclusion of oil and gas in the union matters, Zanzibar’s shares in the Central Bank and the East African Currency Board as well as participation of Zanzibar in international conferences.
Mr Makamba said further a major challenge facing environment was protection of catchment areas, adding that tree cutting was also rampant in the country, endangering vegetation. “We’re going to introduce a tree planting programme in April this year to restore vegetation,” he said.
/Daily News.
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