Tanzania’s main opposition Chadema party has called for the formation of a United Nations-supervised transitional government and fresh elections, rejecting the current administration as illegitimate following a disputed vote marred by violence and widespread irregularities.
Chadema’s vice chairperson John Heche told news agencies that the 29 October election – in which the ruling party claimed victory with more than 97 percent of the vote – was “null and void” and demanded the dissolution of the national electoral body.
“The entire election is invalid, and it has no legitimacy because it took place under gross violations of the law, justice, and democratic principles,” he said.
The disputed poll triggered days of unrest, leaving hundreds dead and more than 2,000 arrested.
Human rights groups reported heavy police deployments in major cities to suppress planned follow-up protests while internet services were shut down for 10 days around the vote.
Regional observers also raised concerns, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) concluding that the elections fell short of democratic standards.
SADC observers cited irregularities, restricted access for party agents and voters being turned away.
Chadema chairperson Tundu Lissu has been imprisoned since April on treason charges after calling for electoral reforms.
JN/APA