Jopo hili limetambua kwa masikitiko kuhusu kuendelea kuzuiliwa kwa viongozi mbali mbali wa vyama vya siasa kote nchini Tanzania.Taarifa za kukamatwa viongozi wengi wa upinzani Tanzania bara na Zanzibar ni ishara ya ukiukaji haki za kibinadamu na kuvunjwa mikataba ya kimataifa kuhusu haki nchini humo.

The Panel notes with concern the continued detention of various leaders of political parties throughout Tanzania. Reports of the arrests of many leaders, reported mainly by opposition political parties in both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, point to a declining respect for civil liberties in Tanzania in contravention of national and international law.

The Panel is appalled by the arrest and later release of Chadema’s Presidential Candidate Tundu Lissu designed to suppress the peaceful expression of grievances arising from the outcome of the elections. The Panel calls on the Tanzania government to immediately release other opposition leaders being held for unspecified reasons

The Panel would like to take this opportunity to commend the willingness of the people of
Tanzania to take part in the electoral process which is a testament to their commitment to a participatory democracy as stipulated in Article 3 and 8 of the United Republic of Tanzania constitution. The Panel expressed concern about recent events and reports observed during the election day which dampen the credibility of the electoral process

The Panel is, however, deeply concerned over reports of escalating tension in Zanzibar on the eve of the polls. Reports of killings, brutality and harassment by state security forces in both Unguja and Pemba
underlie a worrying trend. 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. We deplore the excessive force used by Police in responding to protesters by tear-gassing and other callous acts in Zanzibar.

We appreciate the critical role of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) as an important stakeholder in the elections and urge the authority to exercise its mandate with maximum impartiality as a quasi-independent government regulator. We appreciate the critical role of the TCRA in enabling or limiting the free exchange of information during this crucial democratic moment and wish to implore you to adhere to international best standards for such regulations as enshrined in the African Commission’s Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa.