2010 Elections: Tanzanians Have Spoken

Tanzanians headed to the polls in the country’s general elections which was held last Sunday. Despite being declared ‘free and fair, transparent’ by the six presidential candidates including - Jakaya Kikwete (Chama Cha Mapinduzi), Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba (Civic United Front) and Dr Wilbrod Slaa of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) – few challenges characterised these elections. Some eligible voters could not cast their votes because their names were not appearing on the voter register and the country’s National Election Commission (NEC) did nothing about it.

Many opposition supporters who protested the NEC’s failure to release the results, especially in opposition strongholds - Mwanza, Mbeya and Mara regions - feared the ruling party would still the votes as this has been the situation in many African countries. The protests overshadowed what was described by the voters as the best organised elections in terms of speed and efficiency. The protests saw police firing water cannon to disperse opposition protesters who had blocked roads and threw stones, empty bottles and some filled with urine at the police officers. One person was reported killed in Mara and other protectors injured in Mwanza regions.

Despite few problems that have been reported so far, many opposition supporters are happy with initial results which showed that certain ministers have already lost their seats to opposition candidates. Meanwhile, it is becoming clear President Kikwete is heading for another term in office.

- Sophia Komba is a human rights activist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.