On 28th October 2020, Tanzanians will cast their votes for presidential elections. Political analysts predict that the incumbent President will most likely win for a second term against his influential opposition, Tundu Lissu. Since 2017, Tundu has been staying in Belgium after suffering 16 bullet wounds when anonymous men shot him.
No Democracy and Elections
Amid political campaigns, political parties have complained of the sovereign body suppression. They have lamented of receiving numerous threats. Human Rights has alleged that the government of Tanzania is curtailing people of their rights. It claimed that people do not have the freedom to voice out their opinion. Even during campaigns, the opposition parties could not address the public freely for fear of breaking the law.
However, the Tanzanian government denied the allegations. Amnesty International released a report where it stated that the government of Tanzania had built a formidable set of legislations. The latter suppressed the Tanzanians from freedom of expression.
“Tanzania has weaponized the law to the point that no one knows when they are on the right or wrong side of it,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty’s director for East and Southern Africa.
“Politicians have been arrested for holding or attending meetings, media houses suspended and banned, online activism criminalized and NGOs stifled with endless regulations.”
Lissu stated that his party offices based in Arusha were bombed. He told the Tanzanian government that no amount of intimidation would make them quit.
President Magufuli Might Win
Analysts say that there are higher chances the people might re-elect President Magufuli. Fergus Kell projects assistant told the media that Magufuli has strong support from the rural base. The majority of Tanzanians are also aware of his fight against corruption and infrastructure projects in the country. His popularity has also escalated with wider media coverage during the campaign period.
Meanwhile, the opposition has had a limited opportunity to earn the citizens’ trust. Lissu questioned the ethics of the electoral commission in the country. Earlier, this body had suspended him from conducting presidential campaigns for a week over alleged violations. Also, the body has prohibited dozens of candidates from participating in the presidential elections.
Opposition Declares War
Lissu, the main opposition leader said that they would not accept rigged votes. The ACT Wazalendo party together with Lissu endorsed that they would hold peaceful demonstrations in case of stolen votes. He said they would do anything it takes to defend the integrity of the elections and the voice of the people.
Corruption Free Elections
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, Tanzania is number 96 out of 198. This improvement symbolizes Magufuli’s effort to keep the country corruption-free. He continues with his campaigns against corruption. Not only is the infrastructure in Tanzania improving, but the railway networks and road systems are also expanding. The incumbent President has improved the economy of Tanzania.
There are 29 million qualified Tanzanian voters. President Magufuli, who is seeking and second and final term as a candidate of CCM, is confident he will win come the elections.
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