NEC CALLS FOR PEACE IN ISLES’ BY-ELECTION

NATIONAL Electoral Commission (NEC) Chairman Damian Lubuva has urged politicians and voters in Unguja West District to ensure a peaceful by-election in Dimani Constituency on January 22, next year.

“We need peaceful campaigns and voting. Politicians must adhere to poll regulations and the agreed Code of Conduct. It is possible to have elections free of violence,” he said here yesterday when opening a one-day workshop on the forthcoming by-election.

He said politicians and their followers have the responsibility of ensuring that the election is conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

He assured the electorate of security, transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process. “All stakeholders involved in this process must work together for a peaceful election,” he said, stressing that political debates and campaigning starting on December 23, 2016, must be geared at strengthening the nation rather than dividing it.

Briefing the audience about updates of the by-election, which is being held to fill the vacancy left by departed legislator Hafidh Ali Tahir, who died last month, NEC Director Kailima Ramadhan said nomination day is December 22.

“All political parties intending to contest should have their candidates ready by then,” he said, adding that the number of polling stations in Dimani Constituency would be 29 for the 9,225 registered voters as per the Zanzibar Electoral Commission Permanent Voters Register (2015 update).

The one-day workshop drew participants from ACTWazalendo, CCM, CUF, NCCR, UPDP, TLP, DP, SAU, CCK, NLD, CHAUMMA, UMD, CHADEMA, the media and officers from the electoral commissions.