Babylon
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- Feb 5, 2009
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Ruling party playing 'dirty' ahead of polls - Chadem
Monday, September 13 2010 at 17:36
Ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is being accused of employing dirty tricks ahead of the 2010 general elections.
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It is alleged its members are sending e-mails, making calls and distributing flyers to discred the Chama Cha Maendeleo na Demokrasia (Chadema) presidential candidate Dr Wilbroad Slaa.
Complaints have surfaced in predominantly opposition supporters where text messages have circulated dissuading voters from voting for Dr Slaa on claims of impropriety in his private life.
Tanzania Director of Criminal Investigations (CID), Robert Manumba told The EastAfrican that the police was unaware of the text messages but they had started investigations.
Mr Manumba said police would act against those circulating the messages.
In local politics for a country like Tanzania such tactics are common and often impossible to trace.
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority communications manager Innocent Mungy said the authority was in the dark over the messages but added that it does not have the mandate to interfere in the way people communicated.
Mr Mungy said it was fine to use texts to canvass for votes during elections time as was the case in other countries "but when people resort to insults or derogatory remarks this becomes a problem."
The reports of intimidation of the opposition in the hotly contested constituencies including fights are surfacing with police promising to arrest offenders.
CCM secretary general Yusuph Makamba told The EastAfrican last week that his party had advised its members not to circulate any messages abusive of Chadema presidential candidates and that private issues should not be circulated to the members.
Mr Makamba said CCM respects the work done by Dr Slaa in the country and that insulting him is unfair.
Agents of the church
Last week, some CCM members in Mpanda Urban alleged that Chadema is an agent of the Roman Catholic Church and enjoys massive support from the faithful.
Mr Arfi said that the allegations were made after Chadema decided to field a parliamentary candidate for Sumbawanga Urban.
"Voters should elect candidates based on their aptitude not their tribal or religious beliefs," he said.
According to the registrar of political parties John Tendwa, voting right makes it a crime to misled and intimidate voters.
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Monday, September 13 2010 at 17:36
Ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is being accused of employing dirty tricks ahead of the 2010 general elections.
Related Stories
It is alleged its members are sending e-mails, making calls and distributing flyers to discred the Chama Cha Maendeleo na Demokrasia (Chadema) presidential candidate Dr Wilbroad Slaa.
Complaints have surfaced in predominantly opposition supporters where text messages have circulated dissuading voters from voting for Dr Slaa on claims of impropriety in his private life.
Tanzania Director of Criminal Investigations (CID), Robert Manumba told The EastAfrican that the police was unaware of the text messages but they had started investigations.
Mr Manumba said police would act against those circulating the messages.
In local politics for a country like Tanzania such tactics are common and often impossible to trace.
Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority communications manager Innocent Mungy said the authority was in the dark over the messages but added that it does not have the mandate to interfere in the way people communicated.
Mr Mungy said it was fine to use texts to canvass for votes during elections time as was the case in other countries "but when people resort to insults or derogatory remarks this becomes a problem."
The reports of intimidation of the opposition in the hotly contested constituencies including fights are surfacing with police promising to arrest offenders.
CCM secretary general Yusuph Makamba told The EastAfrican last week that his party had advised its members not to circulate any messages abusive of Chadema presidential candidates and that private issues should not be circulated to the members.
Mr Makamba said CCM respects the work done by Dr Slaa in the country and that insulting him is unfair.
Agents of the church
Last week, some CCM members in Mpanda Urban alleged that Chadema is an agent of the Roman Catholic Church and enjoys massive support from the faithful.
Mr Arfi said that the allegations were made after Chadema decided to field a parliamentary candidate for Sumbawanga Urban.
"Voters should elect candidates based on their aptitude not their tribal or religious beliefs," he said.
According to the registrar of political parties John Tendwa, voting right makes it a crime to misled and intimidate voters.
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