AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Simon Siro, has urged all political parties, leaders, and wananchi at large to distance themselves from violence and hate speech during the election season.
Siro made the appeal, along with a strong warning through Micheweni Community Radio and at a meeting with religious and community leaders in north Pemba.
He urged everyone, particularly political party candidates, to conduct civilized campaigns as the country heads to the presidential, legislative and councillors elections slated for October 28, 2020.
“I urge party members and campaigners to embrace values that make elections peaceful, and which promote tolerance, love, and unity among people,” he said, adding that they should detach themselves from hatred, insults and other forms of deviant conduct.
He said the police remained vigilant in all areas of the United Republic of Tanzania to ensure that people exercise their democratic rights peacefully and prevailing stability is maintained during and after the elections.
The police boss issued a similar warning last week in Unguja, where he also met with political and religious leaders.
There have been reports that some leaders in Pemba are organizing demonstrations aimed at pushing the National Electoral Commission (NEC) not to disqualify ACT-Wazalendo candidates following appeals against them.
The IGP who also held a separate meeting with political leaders, said political parties should work closely with the police and journalists, and other stakeholders linked to the electoral process to ensure safe campaigns, and avoiding unacceptable incidents and violence.
“We call upon politicians and wananchi at large, whatever their political differences, to respect the rules and rights of others, along with observing land laws and election regulations. By doing so, the electoral process will be peaceful.”
The election campaigns under the NEC timetable started on August 26, while the schedule for ZEC starts on September 11, 2020 and about 15 political parties which have filed candidates are competing for the October 28 general elections, with ACT-Wazalendo and CCM as the main rivals in Zanzibar.
