Going by what transpired in Tanzania's General Election, the leaders of that country need to wake up to the fact that the wave of reforms is blowing.
First and foremost, the October 31 General Election experienced the lowest turnout in the history of the country. Then the delays in tallying and releasing results cast a dark shadow over the electoral process with opposition candidates and observers raising the issue of transparency.
However, the greatest wakeup call for the Tanzanian administration and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), came in the form of violent protests in Mwanza, Dar es Salaam and Arusha, where opposition supporters took to the streets to express their disgust at alleged doctoring of results.
CCM, the party that Mwalimu Julius Nyerere used to found the republic, has held sway in Tanzania but may be walking in the footsteps of Kenya's independent party Kanu that was humiliated at the 2002 General Election by Narc.
As President Jakaya Kikwete embarks on his second and final term, he should put all his efforts in reforming the public sector and fighting corruption.
He should also spearhead electoral reforms that would ensure integrity and transparency. This would ensure the country does not go the Kenyan way in the next polls.
Kikwete would require a miracle to change CCM from what it has become — a giant standing on mosquito legs.
Source: The Standard | Online Edition
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