Low turnout in Zanzibar re-run elections

Low turnout characterized Zanzibar's re-run elections on Sunday as peace was reported in most parts of the east African archipelago.

Majority of people cast their votes in past elections, but the repeat polls which started at 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. saw short queues of voters, mostly women.

On Pemba Island, there was also low turnout of voters at almost every polling center.

Although security concerns remained high, yet no incident of violence was reported in the main Island of Unguja by evening.

There were only few armed wielding police officers guarding polling stations. Business remained at standstill as most shops and markets were closed and people remained in their houses.

The re-run polls were held after results of the October 25 elections last year were annulled three days after the polls by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairman Jecha Salim Jecha on what he described as massive irregularities.

Over 500,000 voters cast their ballot in October elections.

The main opposition party, the Civic United Front (CUF), boycotted the polls, insisting that it had won in the October elections, and called on its supporters not to vote, something that could have been connected with the poor turnout.

Eight other opposition parties -- NRA, DP, Jahazi Asilia, CHAUMMA, UPDP, UMD, Demokrasia Makini, and SAU also joined CUF in boycotting the polls.

Most ZEC officials were reluctant to brief journalists on the voting process, saying they were not authorized to do so.

Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein, who is seeking re-election on the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) platform, was the first dignitary to cast his vote at around 7:10 a.m at Bungi Primary School in Unguja South Region.

He told journalists afterwards that he expected to register a massive victory.

ZEC officials could not say when final results will be announced. Enditem