Prove allegations on by-election irregularities, NEC tells US embassy

What you need to know:

  • The US embassy said it was concerned by the repeat election in Buyungu Constituency in Kigoma Region and 36 wards, saying they were marred by violence and irregularities, including scenarios where Nec refused to register opposition party candidates.

Dar es Salaam. The National Electoral Commission (Nec) has demanded the US embassy in Dar es Salaam to prove the allegations it made yesterday, August 15, that the by-elections held on Sunday, August 12, were marred by irregularities.

The US embassy said it was concerned by the repeat election in Buyungu Constituency in Kigoma Region and 36 wards, saying they were marred by violence and irregularities, including scenarios where Nec refused to register opposition party candidates.

In its response on Wednesday, August 15, the commission said the election was free and fair, saying there were no complaints even from opposition party candidates on how the election was conducted.

Nec further questioned the source of data that the embassy relied on when issuing its statement, arguing that there were no international observers involved in the by-elections.

“The commission is demanding that the US embassy should prove all the allegations it made. They have to tell us how they got all the details on the polls when they are not allowed by the law?” read the statement signed by Nec senior  Information officer Christina Njovu.

The statement went on to point out that even the opposition candidate in Buyungu Constituency admitted before the media that he was okay with the results.

The embassy also expressed concerned about intimidation by the Police Force against opposition party members, unwarranted arrests, and suppression of freedoms of assembly and speech in the lead up to the by-elections.

But Nec said the incidents that occurred in the streets and at some polling stations in Arusha are being investigated by the police.

“Nec would like to assure that Tanzania is an independent state that runs its election in accordance with the laws of the land,” read further the statement.