Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dar Es Salaam (Fides Service)- “The decision to postpone national elections has not given rise yet tensions” said local Church sources in Dar Es Salaam, capital of Tanzania, where presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 30 October were postponed following the death of one of the candidates for vice-presidency.
The candidate for vice-presidency in question, Jumbe Rajab Jumbe, a member of the Opposition party Chadema, was 65 and he died from natural causes on 26 October. “Postponement is foreseen by electoral norms so it has been accepted without trouble” the sources said.
Elections will however be held in the Zanzibar islands, which unlike the continental part of the country have an semiautonomous statute. The decision was taken by the electoral Commission which met today, 28 October to decide whether to go ahead or postpone the election it has been decided for the national vote.
In recent weeks in Zanzibar, the electoral campaign has been marked by tension and incidents. “the Catholic Bishop of Zanzibar Augustine Shao, has organised special prayers for elections to take place in peace and harmony to which all Christians are invited” local church sources told Fides. “Many times Church leaders have called for peace and respect for the rules of democracy”. During the electoral campaign in 2001, at least 40 were killed in riots and incidents.
The nation island Zanzibar includes the island of Pemba and it has own president and parliament, elected every five years. These two bodies make decisions for local matters. The central national state bodies are responsible for foreign, defence and economic policies. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2005 righe 26 parole 310)
