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United Republic of Tanzania - Zanzibar 2005 Elections: Interim Statement

31 October 2005

Interim Statement by the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, Professor Guido de Marco

In many parts of Zanzibar election day went well. In most constituencies it was peaceful and the stations were orderly. There was a high turnout. For the most part, the arrangements made by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission worked well: in general the ballot papers and other key materials were delivered to the right places in the right numbers, generally the staff were competent and the procedures were followed. As a rule voters found their names on the register. The secrecy of the ballot was ensured. The counting of the votes was broadly in line with the guidelines. Party agents were present at almost all stages of the process and were given copies of the polling station results sheets. The police were low-key and helpful. We were pleased to see large numbers of women amongst the voters and the polling station staff. The voters themselves were eager and responsible participants in the process - keen to exercise their franchise and prepared to wait many hours in the sun to do so.

However, in at least three places in Zanzibar town - Forodhani, Mtoni and Kiwanda cha Madawa - there was violence at polling stations between police, local people and large groups of male - sometimes uniformed - persons who, it was claimed, were outsiders and not registered at those stations and had already voted elsewhere. Tear gas was used and weapons fired. At all three locations it appears that these persons were successful in their attempts to vote. In one of the stations we were told by the Presiding Officer of irregularities in the marking of the register. Attempts were later made to deny Commonwealth and other international observers access to some of the affected polling stations. We believe that the Zanzibar Electoral Commission must now hold a thorough investigation to establish exactly what went on, whether the integrity of the electoral process at these particular stations was impaired and, if so, how seriously.

Other problems were less dramatic. At most stations where we were present the list of voters' names was displayed on the walls only that morning. In many stations the initial processing of the voters was slow. Where we were present the post-count arrangements for the transport of the results sheets and materials were not well organised. Most seriously, in some places people with voter's cards were allowed to vote, even though their names were not on the register; and in most places the results were not posted in public at the counting centres.

Overall, this was a good election. Positive changes were made in order to provide greater transparency - such as counting the votes at the polling stations. Generally, arrangements worked and conditions were such as to enable the people to express their will. The Commonwealth Observer Group will continue to follow the results process and will remain in Zanzibar until 2 November, when we travel to Dar es Salaam to write our report.

This Interim Statement provides a broad overview on the events of election day and that part of the results process which we have been able to see so far. It does not take account of all the factors impinging on the credibility of the entire electoral process. As we said in our arrival statement, before we can make our final overall judgement we need to consider not only election day itself but also the electoral environment as a whole - including the legal framework, the voter registration process, civic and voter education, the media and the campaign. We will do that in our final report, which we will complete and sign in Dar es Salaam before we leave the country. After transmission to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, circulation by him to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission, the National Electoral Commission, the political parties and Commonwealth governments, that report will then be made public.

 

Zanzibar

31 October 2005

Note to Editors

Following the postponement of the Union elections to 18 December 2005, the Commonwealth Observer Group teams which had been deployed to Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Bukoba were redeployed to Zanzibar.

The Commonwealth Observer Group deployed 17 observers in Zanzibar yesterday, Sunday 30 October, in eight two-person teams (each accompanied by an interpreter) and one one-person team. Two teams were present in Pemba and six in Unguja. Of the Unguja teams there was one each in Urban District, Urban West District, North 'A' District, North 'B' District and Central District, while two roved across the island.

 

For further information contact Christopher Child on +255 746 774021.