Opposition says no to working with new govt

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Former Chadema presidential candidate Edward Lowassa speaks to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Mpoki Bukuku)

 The Coalition of People’s Constitution (Ukawa) said yesterday said it will not co-operate   with the fifth-phase government under President John Magufuli, citing “electoral fraud”.

 

 

The decision by Ukawa comes ten days after Magufuli was sworn-in the United Republic of Tanzania President following a 58.45 per cent victory against Chadema’s Edward Lowassa who garnered 39.97 per cent.

 

Addressing a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday Lowassa explained   the coalition had sufficient evidence to prove how last month’s General Election was marred  by vote rigging. 

 

 Lowassa who was supported by parties forming the Coalition of People’s Constitution (Ukawa) objected the   presidential results which were announced by National Electoral Commission,  Chairman Justice (rtd) Damian Lubuva.

 

The former prime minister, vowed to unmask what transpired during the tallying process anytime from now after getting enough evidence.

 

His statement follows a secret meeting held last Saturday in Dar es Salaam between Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, NLD national leaders and the Zanzibar presidential candidate on CUF ticket Seif Sharif Hamad.

 

Lowassa maintained to keep a low-profile on the revelations about the ruling party’s presidential candidate victory.

 

He further explained the coalition was simply buying time to reveal what happened at the “backstage” of the presidential polls tallying exercise.

 

“We cannot at the moment reveal what had transpired,” and the coalition will not cooperate with the fifth phase government.

 

Lowassa was saddened by the country’s Constitution which bars individuals or institution to challenge the presidential elections results before the courts of law.   

 

“We are asking Tanzanian to keep on protesting the General Election results because there were rigged. No one should demonstrate as leaders were looking for other appropriate actions,” he said.

 

Referring to the Zanzibar general elections, Ukawa demanded the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) to declare Civic United Front (CUF) presidential candidate, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad  the winner of the elections.

 

He said: “How is it possible for one pot to cook legal and illegal things at the same time? If ZEC claims the election results were illegal then the Union results were also not legal because they all came from the same pot.”

Ukawa despite protesting the presidential results said that they would still take part during the National Assembly proceedings scheduled for tomorrow.

 

However Lowassa also called for a new constitution that would ensure free and fair elections in the country.

 

“The new constitution will ensure the country has independent election commission which is responsible to the public, without new constitution the country will continue be under the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi dictatorship.”

 

Meanwhile Ukawa has called on the government to take immediate action over the mysterious death of former Chadema candidate for Busanda constituency in Geita Region in the recent parliamentary elections, Alfonce Mawazo.

 

NCCR-Mageuzi National chairman, James Mbatia strongly condemned the killing, calling the authority to identify culprits behind the death of Chadema’s Geita regional chairman.