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- Sep 4, 2010
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DAR ES SALAAM The European Union will send a 68-member observer team to Tanzania for the country's general election on October 31, it said Thursday, but Dar es Salaam warned against meddling in the polls.
"A core team of six experts is already in the country and the chief observer... is due to arrive on Friday, while 22 other long-term and 40 short-term observers are expected later," said a statement.
The team will observe campaigns, preparations in the run-up to the polls, counting and announcement of the results.
"The mission will also evaluate general management of the exercise, the conduct of the media, matters relating to human rights and participation of women," it added.
Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe however warned observers against interfering in the polls in which the incumbent Jakaya Kikwete is expected to face a stronger opposition.
"We highly welcome election observers, but we don't expect them to disrupt or meddle with the electoral process, favour parties or individuals in their operations," Membe told reporters.
"The role of the observers is not to regulate the electoral process, but to observe and issue a report on what transpired," Membe said at a joint press conference with the EU delegation chief to Tanzania, Tim Clarke.
There has been vigorous campaigning ahead of the polls which Kikwete is favoured to win over six opposition candidates, although with a lower margin than his 80 percent score in 2005.
Kikwete has pledged to improve infrastructure, education and reduce poverty, but opponents have accused his Chama Cha Mapinduzi party (CCM - Revolutionary party) of failing to tackle poverty despite being in power for decades.
His closest challenger is Wilbrod Slaa of the CHADEMA party, one of whose leaders warned last week of bloodshed if the polls were unfair. His remarks prompted the army to issue a warning against any disruptions.
AFP
"A core team of six experts is already in the country and the chief observer... is due to arrive on Friday, while 22 other long-term and 40 short-term observers are expected later," said a statement.
The team will observe campaigns, preparations in the run-up to the polls, counting and announcement of the results.
"The mission will also evaluate general management of the exercise, the conduct of the media, matters relating to human rights and participation of women," it added.
Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe however warned observers against interfering in the polls in which the incumbent Jakaya Kikwete is expected to face a stronger opposition.
"We highly welcome election observers, but we don't expect them to disrupt or meddle with the electoral process, favour parties or individuals in their operations," Membe told reporters.
"The role of the observers is not to regulate the electoral process, but to observe and issue a report on what transpired," Membe said at a joint press conference with the EU delegation chief to Tanzania, Tim Clarke.
There has been vigorous campaigning ahead of the polls which Kikwete is favoured to win over six opposition candidates, although with a lower margin than his 80 percent score in 2005.
Kikwete has pledged to improve infrastructure, education and reduce poverty, but opponents have accused his Chama Cha Mapinduzi party (CCM - Revolutionary party) of failing to tackle poverty despite being in power for decades.
His closest challenger is Wilbrod Slaa of the CHADEMA party, one of whose leaders warned last week of bloodshed if the polls were unfair. His remarks prompted the army to issue a warning against any disruptions.
AFP
