Africa News of Friday, 30 October 2020
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Results of Tanzania’s election are going in the favour of President John “Bulldozer” Magufuli of the ruling Chama Cha Mapenduzi (CCM) party which has governed the East African country since independence in 1961 amid stints of dictatorial actions that have resulted in human rights violations.
The 2020 election has been marred by allegations of voter irregularities, electoral fraud, internet shutdowns, arbitrary arrests and abuse by security forces, and the blocking of electoral observers from ensuring free and fair elections are conducted.
As the results are being released in piecemeal by the National Electoral Commission, the opposition candidates have already declared the process as fraudulent as all opposition strongholds have already been won by the incumbent.
“There was unprecedented levels of fraud and use of force in this election that stole the will of the people to elect the leaders of their choice...We reject the results being announced by the polls agency as they are not anchored in law and are a travesty of the will of the people of Tanzania,” said opposition Chadema candidate Tundu Lissu who addressed local media from his home in Dar es Salaam.
He also bemoaned the prevention of opposition party agents from observing the election and called on the international community to take action.
Voting reports indicate widespread irregularities in the form of preventing our polling agents from accessing polling stations. Stuffed ballot boxes seized in Kawe, Dar. If this continues, mass democratic action will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election.
— Tundu Antiphas Lissu (@TunduALissu) October 28, 2020
Citizens in action! #Tanzania
— Maria Sarungi Tsehai (@MariaSTsehai) October 28, 2020
Citizens have confiscated bag full of filled ballots (all voting for CCM) outside the polling station. Interestingly the police officer assisted the citizens in this heroic act
No free and fair elections - plain rigging!#TanzaniaDecides2020 pic.twitter.com/uyoesnIrBx
Hizi ni baadhi ya karatasi za kura ambazo zimeshapigwa tumezikamata Jimboni kwangu katika Kata ya Kasingirima. Karatasi zote zina mihuri ya Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi Kwa hiyo CCM walipewa karatasi hizi na Tume yenyewe. Uchaguzi huu umeharibiwa na NEC pic.twitter.com/qraz9MdbIJ
— Zitto MwamiRuyagwa Kabwe (@zittokabwe) October 28, 2020
Ismail Jussa was beaten by more than 20 members of the Armed forces. He has a broken leg and shoulder. How long do Zanzibaris have to suffer at the hands of the Tanzanian Security services whilst the international community turns a blind eye? https://t.co/q1lpXDnN3k
— fatma karume aka Shangazi (@fatma_karume) October 29, 2020
My statement following the shooting and killing of innocent and unarmed civilians in #Pemba#ZanzibarLivesMatter #ZanzibarLivesMatter #ZanzibarLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/GpFRxUmEin
— Seif Sharif Hamad (@SeifSharifHamad) October 26, 2020
Ahead of tomorrow's election in #Tanzania, we're seeing some blocking and throttling of Twitter. #TanzaniaDecides2020
— Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) October 27, 2020
Internet shutdowns are hugely harmful, and violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet #KeepItOn https://t.co/Q2SJfsFUiD
Confirmed: Widespread disruption to social media registered across #Tanzania on eve of elections; high impact to Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and Google services on Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel and Zantel; incident ongoing ???? #TanzaniaElections2020
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 27, 2020
???? https://t.co/LEIpXAlEhf pic.twitter.com/2WRsPSZ2VU
Internet is being blocked in #Tanzania since yesterday, the eve of an important election. Authorities are now trying to block VPN services. ProtonVPN signups are impacted because SMS verification code messages are being blocked (email verification works, for now). https://t.co/nXG6ygRYVR
— ProtonVPN (@ProtonVPN) October 28, 2020
I'm alarmed by reports from Zanzibar and elsewhere of violence, deaths, and detentions. It's not too late to prevent more bloodshed! Security forces must show restraint, and the NEC & ZEC must carry out their duties with integrity. Let's all pray for peaceful, fair elections.
— Ambassador Donald J. Wright (@USAmbTanzania) October 27, 2020
I am concerned by this morning’s reports from Zanzibar of violence associated with the elections. I appeal to all involved in the elections to act with restraint and integrity to ensure the will of the people can be expressed peacefully at the ballot box.
— David Concar (@DConcar) October 27, 2020
Alarmed by reports from Zanzibar of detention of opposition leaders and deadly force against the public. I urge citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully tomorrow and the security forces to show restraint. All Tanzanians deserve free & fair elections conducted in peace.
— Pamela O'Donnell (@HCPamelaO) October 27, 2020
The reports of violence and detentions in #Tanzania are alarming and deeply distressing. I wish strength for Amujae Leader and MP @UpendoPeneza in the face of growing threats, and I stand in solidarity with all Tanzanians calling for a free, fair, and peaceful election.
— Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (@MaEllenSirleaf) October 27, 2020