THE Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) yesterday officially announced Dr Ali Mohamed Shein winner of the Isles presidential election re-run held on Sunday after garnering 91.4 per cent of the total vote.
ZEC Chairman Jecha Salum Jecha announced here that Dr Shein, who sought a second five-year term, garnered 299,982 out of the 328,327 valid votes cast.
The electoral body chairman told the packed Salama Conference Hall of Bwawani Hotel here that 503,580 people registered for the election on both Unguja and Pemba while those who turned out to vote were 341,865 or 67.9 per cent.
According to Mr Jecha, valid votes were 328,327 while the remaining 13,538 were spoilt. Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) flag bearer Hamad Rashid Mohamed emerged second by collecting 9,734 or 3 per cent of all votes.
Despite pulling out of the race the Civic United Front (CUF) candidate, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad, managed 6,076 or 1.9 per cent of all votes cast. Mr Khamis Idd Lila of ACT-Wazalendo got 1,225 votes, which is equivalent to 0.4pc, ADA-TADEA’s Juma Ali Khatib 1,562 (0.5pc), AFP’s Said Soud Said 1,303 (0.4pc), CCK’s Ali Khatib Ali 1,980 (0.6pc) while CHAUMA aspirant Mohammed Masoud Rashid obtained 493 votes (0.2pc).
Other candidates - Hafidh Hassan Suleiman of TLP obtained 1,496 votes, equivalent to 0.5pc, Issa Mohamed Zonga of SAU got 2,018 (0.6pc), NRA candidate Seif Ali Iddi collected 266 votes (0.1pc), Jahazi Asilia’s Kassim Bakari Ally got 1,470 (0.4pc), DP’s Abdallah Kombo Khamis gathered 512 votes (0.2pc) and Demokrasia Makini candidate Tabu Mussa Juma got 210 votes (0.1pc).Mr Jecha had earlier taken time to clarify some of the issues relating to the exercise, which has included even candidates who had announced to have pulled out. He said that all the candidates and their political parties claiming to have boycotted the polls had failed to follow required procedures.
Mr Jecha said that section 31 and 37a and chapters 46 and 50 of the Zanzibar electoral law stipulate procedures for the nomination of candidates as well as showing how a candidate can withdraw from the race.
“None of the candidates had observed the rules and thus ZEC recognised all candidates as genuine contenders,” he pointed out. Mr Jecha said according to regulations, it was the responsibility of a political party to write to ZEC to withdraw its sponsorship of a candidate.
Meanwhile, President-Elect Shein has called on Zanzibaris to put aside their political differences and team up to build a new Zanzibar that will be an exemplary in the world.
“Elections are over. Let’s forget our differences. We have to work as a team to build our country and ensure we record positive economic growth in the next five years,” Dr Shein said.
Dr Shein noted that he recognised challenges currently facing the islands, pledging to work untiringly for the benefit of all Zanzibaris. He assured residents of the semi-autonomous island state of equal treatment, insisting that he would not oppress anyone. “I will be guided by our constitution while exercising my duties as the head of state,’ he pledged.
The former union vice-president called on all defeated parties to be tolerant and prepare for the next elections. He assured all the people of this island, which makes an important component of ‘Destination Tanzania’ tourist package, that he will do everything within his ability to ensure that the country remains safe.
Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, ADC’s Hamad Rashid Mohamed appealed to all Zanzibaris to give Dr Shein maximum cooperation. He noted that the country needed strong and committed leaders who will speed economic growth and move the country forward.
Mr Hamad remained positive that he was likely to be the First Vice-President of Zanzibar as he emerged second. According to Zanzibar’s constitution, a runner-up in presidential elections gets an opportunity to become the First Vice-President. However, he or she must have garnered not less that 10 per cent of all votes. “I still believe that I may get the chance to become the first vice-president.
Let’s remain hopeful,” said Mr Hamad, who has not won even a single seat. CCM Deputy Secretary General Vuai Ali Vuai said the fate of power sharing system as provided by the country’s constitution remains in the president’s hands.
“This will now depend on the president’s wisdom. According to the constitution, no party qualifies for this,” he remarked. Sunday’s re-run was held following the decision by ZEC to annul last October election, citing ‘massive flaws’.
Meanwhile, the fate of the Government of National Unity (GNU) is in hands of President-Elect Shein. The Minister of State in the Second Vice-President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed, said here that despite CCM recording landslide victory, it is up to the president to decide after seeking advice from lawyers. “We are happy to have won, but on the issue of GNU, the president is free to decide.
I am not a lawyer,” Mr Mohamed said. Former Zanzibar Attorney General (AG), Mr Hamid Mbwezeleni, said that the Isles constitution does not restrict the president to make decision on GNU.
“If some people decided to stop others to vote by issuing threats…and also if somebody decided to declare himself the winner in last elections ... and just good spirit has been prevailing, then it is possible to accommodate GNU in the same spirit if they so wish,” said Mbwezeleni.
The serving AG, Mr Said Hassan, informed the ‘Daily News’ that section 39 of the Zanzibar constitution clearly explains the conditions for setting up a GNU. “I congratulate Dr Shein for his victory and wish him success in his administration.
But on the GNU, the constitution is clear,” he said. Mr Awadhi Ali Saidi, a lawyer, explained that the current situation makes the future of the GNU hanging in the balance due to the absence of a second runner up with 10 per cent of the vote.
“Let us wait to hear if there will be any party after CCM to win seats in the House of Representatives. If any opposition party wins a seat then the GNU might be possible,” Mr Ali observed.
/Daily News.
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