Tanzanian General Election is Conducted amidst Fear of Oppositions' Attack

Reports from Nairobi said there was a “lot of concern from ordinary Tanzanian people”, who were worried what might happen if the opposition “senses defeat”.

“We have been hearing very aggressive  word from the opposition in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar using very aggressive tones,” Soi added.

“Everyone has the duty to protect the legitimacy of this general election,” The Citizen newspaper said in an opinion article on Wednesday, reminding readers that “for decades, Tanzania has been an island of peace”.

The opposition faces a major challenge in trying to unseat the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, as 15 presidential candidates seek a win, splitting support.

‘Climate of fear’

Tanzania Elections Watch, a regional initiative of prominent personalities, has pointed out hate speech and intimidation of candidates and said the election would be flawed if held under current conditions.

“There are legitimate concerns that the heavy police and army deployment across Zanzibar is intimidating residents and creating fear and despondency that could deter voters from turning out,” Tanzania Elections Watch said in a statement on Wednesday.

It warned that actions by security forces have created a “climate of fear”.

Internet services slowed ahead of the vote. Fewer major election observers will be present, some saying they were not invited by the government, and the opposition said authorities made it difficult to accredit thousands of their own observers.

Few in foreign media received approval to report on the ground.

Deadly violence erupted ahead of the vote as Tanzania’s another top opposition party, ACT Wazalendo, accused police of shooting dead nine people in the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar.

Meanwhile, CHADEMA accused the governing party supporters of shooting dead two people at a rally in a town in the northeast

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