Zanzibar is expected to hold fresh elections after the elections results were annulled in October following the country’s election which saw John Magufuli become the new President of Tanzania.
Although there has been continued negotiations to strike a political deal with Tanzania’s mainland there appears to be a strong probability of the semi-autonomous islands to hold new elections.
The government made the nullification of the election results in October even after strong opposition and criticism from the opposition. Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) cited violations of the electoral law as reason for the nullification.
Seif Sharif Hamad a candidate from the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) claimed to have won before the official results were announced.
Hamad has met with the incumbent President Ali Mohamed Shein from the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) at least twice to resolve the crisis in the archipelago. The government has however stated that Ali Mohammed Shein will continue ruling until the elections have been resolved.
“The date for fresh elections will be announced later,” Zanzibar information ministry official Rafi Haji told AFP
Over 500,000 registered voters in Zanzibar will have to cast their votes again following the cancellation of the results.
Magufuli was sworn into office despite the nullification.
Several homemade bombs have been detonated in Zanzibar town since the polls were nullified; however no injuries nor deaths were reported.
