Uchaguzi Mkuu (presidential elections) At 31 October were presidential elections in Tanzania. We are feverishly awaiting this event a long time and had at least respect for the possible reactions of the population on the outcome of the vote. In the last elections came in 2005 at least in Zanzibar riots.
soon as I arrived in early September in Tanzania were to see election posters everywhere. First and foremost: "Chagua Kikwete! Chagua CCM "," Select Kikwete! Choose CCM "
The party CCM - Chama cha Mapinduzi (as much as party of the Revolution), had been responding since independence from the colonial powers in Tanzania. It was also the revered here very, now deceased, politicians Julius Nyerere, who wanted to establish its own African Socialism (Ujamaa =) in Tanzania. Ujamaa was based on nationalization, decentralization and reflect on the traditions. The sense of community to strengthen played a major role in Nyerere's policy.
Until 1992, Tanzania was a one-party state under the leadership of the CCM. In 1992, after the resignation of Nyerere (1985) then the multi-party system was introduced. But so far all have been elections, the CCM was able to say with an overwhelming majority. None of the opposition parties played a major role in elections and political business. The allegations of corruption within the party and was Saatapparates but bigger and has resolved to this day. Since 2005, the current President Jakaya Kikwete is in office.
Under his rule, the allegation of corruption yet been confirmed, and so played the theme of corruption the decisive role in this election campaign.
The main opposition party, the party CHADEMA has gone into the race. CHADEMAs leading candidate, Dr. Wilbrod Slaa has been especially critical of the previous government and the fight against corruption is written on the flags.
was in the last hot phase before the election, the city is full of campaign. Especially from Kikwete, for he stood with his party the most resources and the best infrastructure available to the campaign. Everywhere the great Kikwete posters were visible through the streets drove trucks over the large speakers herausbrüllten the slogans of the CCM. To humans often were also people in the party colors yellow and green dress, who danced. Often there were also major events, and the politicians to end their voice their speeches to the people to have beaten his ear.
posters or other events of the opposition parties were much smaller and less frequent than that of the CCM.
In the last week before the election, however, came from Dr. Slaa CHADEMA to Morogoro. We could not escape us, of course, and are also out. Slaa came flying by helicopter and spoke about an hour. Quite a few people had come to hear Slaa and cheer loudly.
It seemed as if it Slaa succeed in convincing many people and to inspire a change in policy. Not but only in Morogoro in Tanzania. Publish to a pre-election poll Slaa was even before Kikwete. And it seemed as if it would be really exciting. But many people with whom we spoke, said only admit that the CCM would still win again. Not to the people of the CCM would hindrehen somehow so that it again is enough for a victory for the CCM. Of corruption and election fraud Stimmenklau often been mentioned. Quite a lot they said would not vote, because in their eyes does not matter anyway, so suspicious and disappointed they are faced with the policy. What is frustrating for a situation.
Then came the day of election. Sunday, 31 October 2010th The city was much calmer than the day before. As well as in Germany, took place on election day no election takes place. Mareen and I are in the school district was held here in the events around us sometimes to see up close. Everything seemed well-organized. A lot of campaign workers were on site, plus one or two security guards. Voters had to be registered on a list to be allowed to choose. On presentation of an identity proof they received the ballot papers which they could fill in a cardboard drawn blinds. Then, the voters threw his campaign workers supervised by a ballot paper in plastic boxes that served as polling stations. All very reminiscent of the voting process in Germany. When we
but are being held in town, but we have also seen a polling station, which seems at least somewhat funny. In the middle of the sidewalk in the city were placed a few tables and surrounded with some cardboard, then this place was used as a polling station. That was funny already, but a sign of irregularities in the elections was not.
the evening of the election, we went to the bar on the corner, because there is a television which receives all channels via satellite (Our TV via antenna receives only one and heard a politician of the CCM ...) Full Voltage So we were sitting in front of the TV, expecting that every moment would be the first projections showed just as we are just normal. And so we sat and sat and waited, waited ... Nope. There was no such thing as extrapolation is not, at least we have none of the posts on TV as such can make and the people we asked said, all that a result is still unknown. And so we waited, we kinda went home to bed the next morning to get up and switch back to full power on the TV, only to be told that it will take, until a result is published. Eventually we learned that a result was expected for Tuesday. But also Tuesday were not disclosed, Wednesday the same thing. Thursday lunch then there was finally a press conference the election management. had spent hours numbers were read, what of it now that we were interested in. I do not know, was definitely the Kikwete told us at the end with the CCM won again times. In an article I found Internet I learned also that he and 61.17% of the vote again, a large majority, if compared to the last election shrunken majority, has won the vote. Dr. Slaa of the CHADEMA reached only disappointing 26.34%.
The CCM had done so once again. So many people I've talked to have said that it is finally time for a change. Hardly anyone who has been convinced after the CCM. Yet over 60% ... After the election we heard the allegations of corruption, electoral fraud and Stimmenklau be louder, many people are really disappointed, they had hoped, at least, this time it would be different. In particular, many students were angry about the election. They accused the government of manipulating the election indirectly. It was expected that many young people, particularly students would choose CHADEMA. The voting is only possible to register on the site of one is. That is almost all students in their university. Before the election, however, were the semester break and just before the election, the government extended the vacations, so that was the end of the holiday until after the election. Many students, it was financial reasons can not go back prior to the study to the study. They were prevented indirectly in the election. From the anger came in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in riots and fights with the police. This we did but with only through television. Registered in Morogoro where we have noticed is there, everything remained peaceful.
I myself will not give an opinion on the course and outcome of the election. In the international coverage of the election, which in Germany is a close one, no reports of irregularities. International election observers, of which we have in the election of Dr. Slaa have stated the correct choice for ... Many Tanzanians see it differently.
