ALN congratulates CUF on election results in Zanzibar

The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) commends the Civic United Front (CUF) for its effective participation in the National Elections in Tanzania on 31 October 2010 despite the lack of a “level playing field” in terms of political competition.
The ALN congratulates the CUF Zanzibar Presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad on accepting the results announced by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission for the sake of peace, political stability, and reconciliation in Zanzibar.
We further congratulate Seif Sharif Hamad on his appointment as First Vice-President of Zanzibar in accordance with the new constitution of Zanzibar.
However, the Africa Liberal Network is gravely concerned with the poor administration of the Presidential, parliamentary and civic elections in the United Republic of Tanzania, which was marked by low voter turn out: 42% in 2010 as compared to 72% in 2005.
The ALN therefore calls upon the authorities in Tanzania to establish a competent and independent National Electoral Commission as soon as possible in order to have democratic, free and fair elections.