Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Zanzibar 2015
From left to right: Rosemary Kariuki-Machua, Hubertus von Welck, Steven Mokgalapa, Roy
Jankielsohn, Luke Akal.
2. Pre-Election environment
The electoral history of Zanzibar has been fraught with violence and there were expectations
for an improvement in this situation. The 2000 elections were followed by violence that led to
the exodus of 2000 CUF (Civic United Front) supporters to Kenya after clashes with police in
which 35 people were killed and 600 injured. In 2005 the death toll was similar. Internatio n a l
observers found instances of vote rigging, illegal voting, and an overwhelming presence of
security forces. During the 2010 elections a truce between CUF and the ruling CCM (Chadema
Cha Mapinduzi) prevented a recurrence of violence. In spite of the minor difference in votes
the election ended with party leaders congratulating each other. Election observers
unanimously declared the elections free and fair (Jussa, 2015: 1 & ZEC, 2015(a): 15-27).
The 2015 election started peacefully due to a government of national unity. As elections
loomed the political environment became more hostile with provocative comments made by
leaders at political party rallies. The CCM and CUF differ over a new constitution with CUF
expressing separatist sentiments. Currently Zanzibar remains a semi-autonomous archipela go
of Tanzania (ZEC, 2015(a): 27).
The registration process in 2015 was also marred by some allegations of violence against
opposition members by security forces (Jussa, 2015: 1). These allegations were reported by
some media and CUF. However, the Zanzibar Police denied that any such issues were of
significance and would not threaten the election process.
3. Electoral structures
The ZEC (Zanzibar Electoral Commission) is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections
in Zanzibar. The ZEC initiated a process that resulted in the development of a strategic plan
for the institution (Strategic Plan 2015-2019). This also led to a review of existing electoral
documents and the initiation of new ones. Observers and the media were provided with the
following documents by the ZEC:
The strategic plan also led to legislative reviews that based on the following pillars of the ZEC,
namely:
The above led to a voter registration process. This was initially marred by problems with
Zanzibar Residence Identity cards (ZAN IDs) which are a prerequisite for registration. The
ZEC reports that the process improved by May to June 2015.
Another result of the review were some changes in the boundary delimitation. The Census 2012
led to a review of boundaries in terms of Acts 3/95 and 4/95 that were regulated by regional
administration and local government. Acts 7/2014 and 8/2014 that came into effect in May
2015 stripped the responsibility of delimitation of wards and Shehias from the ZEC and
replaced it with the Minister responsible for Regional Administration and Local Governme nt.
The ZEC restricted itself to the constituency delimitation that increased constituencies for the
House of Representatives from 50 to 54. The ZEC indicated that no complaints were received
regarding the delimitation process (ZEC, 2015(a): 29-30).
The process was efficient and without undue delays. Observers each received an accreditatio n
document with a photograph of the observer (which was to be on display at all times) as well
as a file with various documents that included an electoral history of Zanzibar, a list of polling
stations per constituency, and codes of conduct.
Observers were impressed by the posting of voter details inclusive of photographs outside of
polling stations. Voters were also divided in groups of about 350 into various classrooms to
expedite the voting process (see photographs below):
It was also evident at all polling stations that voters were using the opportunities made possible
to them to verify their details on the voters roll outside of schools see photographs below):
The overall supervision of the general conduct of all Presidential, members of the
House of Representatives and Local Authorities Leader Election in Zanzibar.
Promotion and regulation of voter education.
Demarcation of constituencies.
Appointment of officers to hold office in the commission.
Conducting referenda.
Prepare and supervise the Permanent Voter Register.
The ZEC indicated that there are 503 860 registered voters. There are 380 polling centre
Districts and 1580 polling stations. They indicated that voter education did take place. There
were fourteen Presidential candidates nominated, 180 candidates for the House of
Representatives from 17 political parties, and 385 candidates from 18 political parties for Local
Government elections. They also indicated that 1355 observers were accredited to observe the
elections (1250 from 17 local groups and 105 from 16 international groups). Polling material
would be distributed on Saturday, 25 October 2015. Voting would take place between 07H00
and 16H00 on Sunday, 26 October 2015. Poling agents would be appointed by political parties.
Votes would be counted at polling stations in a transparent manner and results posted outside
of each station. All material is then sent to the HQ of the constituency. Political Party Poling
agents may escort this material.
Tallying of all results are done at Tallying centres in each constituency. The Elections Act (11
/1984) indicates that this starts with the Presidential results (ZEC, 2015(b): 1-13).
That they were prepared for the elections and that each polling station would have a
police presence.
The police will accompany all electoral material.
Possible hotspots had been identified and additional police would be deployed there.
These included: Kinuni, Stonetown, and various other places.
There was also some activity that required police monitoring at Miembeni.
During the registration process only three cases were lodged with the police that are at
the DPP for scrutiny and decision on prosecution.
They have a reaction force to deal with any serious incidents during the elections.
People not voting or working at stations are not allowed more than 200 metres from
polling stations on election day.
Each party has its own election programme and that is why they had their final rally
earlier than that of the CCM.
There was less violence and harassment than in previous elections during campaigning
and the CUF campaign was smooth.
They did not experience serious problems with ZEC except regarding demarcation of
boundaries of new constituencies.
The new polling stations in new constituencies caused some problems during and after
voter registration, since some voters had been moved to different polling stations within
the same constituency.
In some instances, the same people have different voting registration numbers on
different cards.
Voters rolls were also only received two weeks before the elections, although this does
comply with the ZECs own regulations.
CUF will have three agents at each station, 1 Zanzibar, 1 Union, and 1 for councillo rs
and House of Representatives.
Party agents are trained and receive payment and food.
Problems were expected in the Central District, especially Chwaka, Uzini, and Tunguu
constituencies.
People from the mainland who have been given cultivation rights in Zanzibar are
threatened to be sent back if they do not vote for CCM.
ZEC has capacity problems and are only active during election periods, not in between.
There will be underage voting since Shehias decide who is eligible to vote.
CONSTITUENCY
POLLING STATION
COMMENTS
Mkwajuni
TC Mkwajuni
Tumbatu
Donge
Maandalazi
Donge Mtambile
Mahonda
Mahonda
Bumbwini
Bumbwini
Amani
Faraja
Amani
Kikwajuni
Pangawe
Kwamtipura
Maandalazi
Msingi
Welezo
Welezo
Mtopepo
Mtopepo
Pangave
Msingi
There appear to have been problems with registration of voters and demarcation of
constituencies.
The problems identified and concerns raised by CUF and presented at the press
conference must be noted. These are predominantly related to the ZECs administra tio n
of the registration process and preparations for the elections.
The electioneering appears to have been free of any serious incidents. The
electioneering was very vibrant judging from the election material (flags, posters, and
billboards in the streets in all areas).
The ALN observers were not threatened or harassed in any way prior to the elections
or on election day.
It was visible that the presence of security forces was much larger and vigorous (both
on foot and in vehicles) in some areas than in others on election day.
The process of separating the voters roll at polling stations to allow for fewer voters at
each point assisted in preventing too much congestion.
The process of placing voters rolls and photographs of voters outside all polling
stations appears to have been very helpful to voters, judging from the amounts of people
checking these rolls prior to election day. However, we did not come across any ZEC
officials at these polling stations, which would have been useful for voters checking
their registration status.
Given the large numbers of ZEC personnel required to man so many voting points, they
appeared to have been trained and relatively efficient.
observation
mission
Addendum A:
Civic United Front statement to media and observers prior to elections
BRIEFING TO INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND MEDIA
1. Lack of clarity over constituencies new bounderies.
2. Refusal by ZEC to conduct electronic verification of the Voters Register.
3. A quick research done manually by CUF Policy, Research and Training Unit has
discovered a number of irregularities in the Register:
- Double or multiple registration of voters in an exercise engineered by CCM in
collaboration with ZEC.
- Registration of underage voters.
- Non-removal of deceased persons (4,999 identified so far).
- Removal of eligible voters from the Register (at an average of between 150 and
200 per constituency) which can amount to 8,100 in total.
- Displacement of voters from one constituency to another and within a
constituency from one polling station to another.
4. Systematic denial of voters cards to newly registered voters.
5. Distribution of voters cards to CCM members through Shehas.
6. Fake ballot papers already marked and stuffed in ballot boxes waiting to be
smuggled in to the polling stations.
7. ZEC stamps v/s SMZ stamp
8. Issuing of more than one ballot to CCM voters.
9. Use of force and intimidation.
10. CUF Polling Agents denied identity cards up to this moment (ZEC and NEC ploy).
11. Sudden change of polling stations (from Bububu Primary School to Kijichi Primary
School in Bububu constituency)
12. Ballot boxes stuffed with fake ballots stationed at Bwawani Hotel (ZEC Tallying
Centre). Aim is to demand recount at national level and mix these ballot boxes with
the genuine ones and hence alter results.
13. Need for transparency during counting and tallying of votes at the counting station,
constituency centre and at ZEC national tallying centre.
14. Disruption of elections if trends at counting will not favour CCM.
OTHER ISSUES:
1. Tearing of CUF billboards
2. Kidnapping of a CUF polling agent Hassan Iddi Omar from Mangapawani
(Mahonda constituency) in Zanzibar Northern Region who was taken from his
house at midnight yesterday and found today at Unguja Ukuu in Zanzibar
South Region where he was dumped in the bush.
AREAS TO WATCH:
1. Mahonda constituency (North Zanzibar)
2. Tumbatu constituency (North Zanzibar)
3. Nungwi constituency (North Zanzibar)
4. Bumbwini constituency (North Zanzibar)
5. Chukwani constituency (Zanzibar West B District)
6. Mfenesini constituency (Zanzibar West A District)
7. Bububu constituency (Zanzibar West A District)
8. Mtoni constituency (Zanzibar West A District)
9. Mtopepo constituency (Zanzibar West A District)
10. Welezo constituency (Zanzibar West A District)
11. Mwanakwerekwe constituency (Zanzibar West B District)
12. Kiembe Samaki constituency (Zanzibar West B District)
13. Shaurimoyo constituency (Zanzibar Urban District)
14. Chumbuni constituency (Zanzibar Urban District)
15. Kikwajuni constituency (Zanzibar Urban District)
16. Malindi constituency especially at Lumumba School and Makadara School polling
stations (Zanzibar Urban District).