Daily News | Chadema petition thrown out
By JAFFAR MJASIRI, 6th September 2010 @ 22:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 193
THE Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Tendwa, has dismissed the petition filed by Chadema that sought to disqualify the CCM Union presidential candidate, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, describing all allegations made against him as baseless.
The Manager of the CCM Campaign Committee, Mr Abdulrahman Kinana, said that the Registrar on Monday sent a letter to the party's Secretary General, Mr Yussuf Makamba, notifying him of the verdict.
The Registrar said the petition disturbed the general public, Mr Kikwete and CCM and sparked hate between members and supporters of the two rival parties. Mr Tendwa said in his letter that: "Criticisms between the parties and contestants should be based on their respective election manifestoes and programmes.
They should tell what the parties have done and pledges." He said blanket and baseless accusations should not be entertained to avoid unnecessary conflicts among political parties. Mr Kinana also refuted claims that CCM was summoned by the Registrar on its own to discuss the petition, saying that the party was only asked to submit its defence.
"I think Chadema members are now desperate because their arrogant request seeking the Registrar to disqualify President Kikwete has failed," he said. He advised Chadema officials to learn from their mistakes. "This is wastage of time and lowers the party's reputation before the public and voters," he said.
The Chadema Acting Secretary General, Mr John Mnyika, declined to comment on the matter on Monday afternoon, saying their (Chadema) lawyers were still reviewing the decision. "We may make a statement later this week," he said. Last week, CCM said in its statement of defence that Chadema's petition was distorted and wrong.
"Our candidate did not announce any salary increase during the ongoing campaigns, as it was hyped by Chadema," read in part the statement signed by CCM Secretary General, Mr Yusuf Makamba.
It noted that the salary increase was announced by the Minister of State, President's Office (Public Service Management) on May 22 and implemented effective July, this year.
According to the CCM defence, what the president did at a rally was to recount what the government did in improving the welfare of civil servants including their wages and other achievements made by the Fourth Phase Government.
On the issue of the Nyanza Co-operative Union, CCM said that the president has only been reiterating the party's policy that aims at strengthening co-operatives as part of people empowerment programmes.
He also said the CCM government in its earlier electoral pledges committed itself to improve marine transport and that there was no provision in the Election Expenses Act which was violated by the party since the campaigns started.
Meanwhile, the Political Parties Council of Tanzania has condemned dirty campaigns, use of abusive language and deployment of youths to disrupt campaign rallies. Mr Tendwa said there had been complaints that some CCM youth were used to disrupt rallies and destroy campaign materials of other parties in various parts of the country.
He said that the council had noted with concern violation of the Election Code of Conduct among political parties and other stakeholders.
"The council wants the Registrar to take action against all those violating the Code," said Mr Tendwa who is the council's secretary. He said the council has resolved to ensure strict observation of the Code by all stakeholders including the media. "No political party is superior. They are all equal before the law and deserve fair treatment," he said.
By JAFFAR MJASIRI, 6th September 2010 @ 22:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 193
THE Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Tendwa, has dismissed the petition filed by Chadema that sought to disqualify the CCM Union presidential candidate, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, describing all allegations made against him as baseless.
The Manager of the CCM Campaign Committee, Mr Abdulrahman Kinana, said that the Registrar on Monday sent a letter to the party's Secretary General, Mr Yussuf Makamba, notifying him of the verdict.
The Registrar said the petition disturbed the general public, Mr Kikwete and CCM and sparked hate between members and supporters of the two rival parties. Mr Tendwa said in his letter that: "Criticisms between the parties and contestants should be based on their respective election manifestoes and programmes.
They should tell what the parties have done and pledges." He said blanket and baseless accusations should not be entertained to avoid unnecessary conflicts among political parties. Mr Kinana also refuted claims that CCM was summoned by the Registrar on its own to discuss the petition, saying that the party was only asked to submit its defence.
"I think Chadema members are now desperate because their arrogant request seeking the Registrar to disqualify President Kikwete has failed," he said. He advised Chadema officials to learn from their mistakes. "This is wastage of time and lowers the party's reputation before the public and voters," he said.
The Chadema Acting Secretary General, Mr John Mnyika, declined to comment on the matter on Monday afternoon, saying their (Chadema) lawyers were still reviewing the decision. "We may make a statement later this week," he said. Last week, CCM said in its statement of defence that Chadema's petition was distorted and wrong.
"Our candidate did not announce any salary increase during the ongoing campaigns, as it was hyped by Chadema," read in part the statement signed by CCM Secretary General, Mr Yusuf Makamba.
It noted that the salary increase was announced by the Minister of State, President's Office (Public Service Management) on May 22 and implemented effective July, this year.
According to the CCM defence, what the president did at a rally was to recount what the government did in improving the welfare of civil servants including their wages and other achievements made by the Fourth Phase Government.
On the issue of the Nyanza Co-operative Union, CCM said that the president has only been reiterating the party's policy that aims at strengthening co-operatives as part of people empowerment programmes.
He also said the CCM government in its earlier electoral pledges committed itself to improve marine transport and that there was no provision in the Election Expenses Act which was violated by the party since the campaigns started.
Meanwhile, the Political Parties Council of Tanzania has condemned dirty campaigns, use of abusive language and deployment of youths to disrupt campaign rallies. Mr Tendwa said there had been complaints that some CCM youth were used to disrupt rallies and destroy campaign materials of other parties in various parts of the country.
He said that the council had noted with concern violation of the Election Code of Conduct among political parties and other stakeholders.
"The council wants the Registrar to take action against all those violating the Code," said Mr Tendwa who is the council's secretary. He said the council has resolved to ensure strict observation of the Code by all stakeholders including the media. "No political party is superior. They are all equal before the law and deserve fair treatment," he said.