The re-run Zanzibar polls saw a low turn-out on Sunday as it was boycotted by the main opposition party, the Civic United Front (CUF), as well as by its ally CHADEMA claiming it is against the electoral laws and constitution of the island, semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania.
The results of last year’s October presidential election was annulled by electoral commission on grounds of fraud.
CUF claimed they won the October elections.
The ruling party, CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) participated in the re-run of elections with the view to enhance democracy in Zanzibar.
CCM spokeswoman Waide Bakari Jabu said, “You know in democracy, you can’t boycott. Be on the running track so you will win or lose, but don’t stay away from the course of democracy.”
Counting of the votes started at 4 p.m. with the closure of polling stations and in next three days the results are expected.
Zanzibar elects its own local government including a president but lately many residents believed the policies for the island are being dictated by the mainland government.
The Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein expressed confidence about the outcome. He won the election in 2010 on the ruling CCM party ticket with 50.1 percent of votes.
Talking to the reporters after casting his ballot he said, “I expect to win with a landslide victory.”
Security was tight on the island amid voting as earlier elections were marred by violence.
According to Zanzibar Electoral Commission there are around 500,000 registered voters in the island.
