– Zanzibar tensions –
Zanzibar’s decision to annul polls has also caused concern, although the islands were reported to be calm on Friday, according to an AFP reporter.
The archipelago – which also voted for its own president – annulled polls over irregularities.
“Democracy, peace and unity in Zanzibar are at stake,” said a statement by international election observers on Thursday, including teams from the African Union, headed by former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza, the Commonwealth, headed by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, and the European Union.
Zanzibar’s electoral commission said the islands’ vote – where the 500,000 registered electorate also voted for Tanzania’s national president – must be carried out again, citing “violations of electoral law”.
The annulment came after a key candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad from the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), declared himself the winner before the results were officially announced.
Hamad on Friday threatened to call for protests on Monday if the situation is not solved by then, and would not then recognise incumbent president Ali Mohamed Shein of the CCM.
“As from November 2, there will be no government here, Shein will not be the president anymore,” Hamad said.
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 the independence it briefly enjoyed in early 1964 before merging with Tanganyika.
The CUF promised to campaign for full autonomy if it wins, while the CCM has vowed to maintain the status quo.
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