Violence and fraud allegations mar Zanzibar poll

[struggle4progress]

By Andrew Cawthorne and Helen Nyambura

ZANZIBAR (Reuters) - Zanzibari security forces used rifle butts, tear gas and at least one live bullet on opposition supporters on Sunday during an election on the Tanzanian islands marred by clashes and fraud allegations.

The opposition is seeking to wrest the local presidency from Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) -- in office since a 1964 revolution -- in a turbulent contest again blotting Tanzania's reputation as one of Africa's most stable nations.

The violence was focussed on historic Stone Town, where soldiers, police and rival voters fought on and off all day, often in view of foreign media and election observers.

Violence subsided after polls closed at 5 p.m. (2 p.m. British time) and the turnout was massive. Election officials said counting would go on overnight, with results for the parliament due on Monday and the presidency on Tuesday. <snip>

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-10-30T175755Z_01_MOL056272_RTRUKOC_0_UK-TANZANIA-ZANZIBAR.xml&archived=False

[hiabrill]

1. The Tanzanian government supported CCM ...

... has stolen the election in the past and they'll do it again.


If the opposition wins, Tanzania will most likely declare martial law.