Big test for Tanzania's Magufuli: Zanzibar to hold rerun of presidential vote as tensions rise

There have been wider tensions around Zanzibar’s union with the mainland, with some parties wanting to break ties and return to independence

President Magufuli in a street-cleaning exercise: Riding a wave of popularity because of a crackdown on corruption and his simplicity, the Tanzanian leader played coy on Zanzibar. (Photo/AFP).

ZANZIBAR, the semi-autonomous archipelago in a union with mainland Tanzania, holds a rerun of presidential elections on Sunday that the main opposition is boycotting because the party says it won the original vote.

There are  500,000 people registered to cast ballots, Idrisa Haji, a local electoral committee official, said by phone.

Authorities invalidated the results of the initial Oct. 25 election on the Indian Ocean island group, which has its own parliament and leader, citing violations of electoral law.

The opposition Civic United Front (CUF), which declared its candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad, the winner before official results were confirmed, is boycotting this weekend’s polls, although Hamad is still on ballot papers.

President Ali Mohamed Shein has remained in power pending the new vote.

“We did all that we could to assure everyone that we are not taking part in the rerun,” Twaha Taslima, the CUF’s chairman, said in a phone interview. “They said it was not the legal way of withdrawing, therefore we are going with your names.”

Popular with tourists due to its sandy beaches and tropical climate, Zanzibar has experienced sectarian and political tensions in recent years—including several grenade explosions—with the unrest affecting the islands’ key tourist industry. 

There have also been wider tensions around Zanzibar’s union with the mainland, with some opposition political parties wanting to break ties and return to independence. 

Mantaining status quo

The long ruling CCM has vowed to maintain the status quo, but the CUF had promised to campaign for full autonomy if it won.

October’s annulment spurred protests dispersed by police. Tanzania’s Daily News reported Friday that authorities on the main island are holding 38 people suspected of criminal acts that include an attempt to blow up the local police commissioner’s home.

Observer groups including the European Union said October’s poll was well-organised. Voting on the same day across Tanzania brought to power President John Magufuli, who’s declared war on corruption and government waste in Africa’s third-biggest gold producer.

There had been pressure for Magufuli to intervene in the Zanzibar election crisis, but he declined to show his hand publicly, arguing that the matter rested with the Zanzibar Electoral Commission.

With his high popularity, some had expected that Magufuli would be able to break the deadlock. But there is also a view that whatever he did, he couldn’t win.

That perhaps it was best for him to keep off, and give himself more flexibility to negotiate a political deal after the vote.

http://mgafrica.com/article/2016-03-18-big-test-for-tanzanias-magufuli-zanzibar-to-hold-rerun-of-presidential-vote-as-tensions-rise