NEC, govt urged to work on suspicious indicators
Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the launch of the election manifesto for Civil Society Organisations, CHRGG Chairman Bahame Tom Nyanduga called upon the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the government to work on indicators of breach of peace in the ongoing General Election campaigns.
He said the manifesto reprimands embezzlement, corruption, abuses of power, as well as misuse of public resources and property before and after nominations and during campaigns.
“Political leaders intentionally using inflammatory statements and abusive language which can instigate violence must stop doing so because they undermine the elections and the safety of the entire nation,” he cautioned.
He also reminded the politicians that Tanzania is a member the Rome Statute of the ICC and therefore if offences stipulated in the treaty will happen in Tanzania, all those involved in sedition and conspiracy will be indicted.Nyanduga, who was once one of the lawyers working on cases related to the 1994 Rwanda genocide case at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, said all leaders, including individuals and journalists, proved to have instigated conflict and violation of human rights will be arraigned in the ICC.
“CHRAGG will continue monitoring the ongoing campaigns as well as the voting and counting of votes and the announcement of the winners,” he said.
“The entire election process should be conducted transparently... Political parties should put agents of high integrity and returning officers should be neutral to avoid personal interests tainting the process,” he said, adding: “The commission wants election commissions to ensure that the elections are conducted transparently by observing the law and election procedures.”
Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) national coordinator Onesmo Olengurumwa meanwhile said the manifesto was “the vision and guidelines for citizenry, candidates, political parties, government and other stakeholders”.
“This manifesto serves as a guideline for those seeking the people’s permission to lead the country... It has taken into consideration social, economic and tradition issues and interests for public development,” he said.
For her part, Legal Human Right Centre (LHRC) Director Dr Hellen Kijo-Bisimba said it was crucial that the forthcoming election should witness the elected government assure the people that all human rights will be fully observed.
“Currently, human rights are not observed adequately, especially by some organs of state including the police,” she said, adding: “All oppressive laws that infringe on people’s freedom, especially during election campaigns, must be nullified.”
“The rule of law must be observed to avoid indicators that can threaten national peace,” said Dr Kijo-Bisimba, also advising the fifth-phase government to control the killings of old people and persons with albinisms as well as supervise all contracts signed with foreign investors in different sectors especially the energy sector.”
“All laws that don’t benefit the majority of our people must be abolished for the benefit of the nation,” she said.
Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) Director of Finance Michael Kyando said the incoming government should ensure that there is no interference among the three pillars of state.
“To avoid conflict, the coming government will be duty bound to ensure that all pillars of the state are free and independent of each other,” he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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