Electoral handout habits: Samia cautions aspirants

The president who doubles up as ruling party chairperson made this appeal as the country heads towards civic and general elections this year respectively, using an Isles tour yesterday to inaugurate a training centre for women entrepreneurs in Mahonda area, Unguja North Region.

The tour has been described by officials as a CCM tour in the region, visiting the centre intended to address youth unemployment drawbacks in the Isles, built by the party’s women’s wing at a 248m/- total cost.

The president described hand-outs as illegal means of attracting voters during elections as the dons are indistinguishable from bribes, elaborating that hand-outs be directed at the poor during religious festivals as an indication of good will.

“Giving such gifts during campaigns raises questions,” she emphasized, noting that the CCM constitution is clear on the matter as it states that campaigns should involve party members “and nowhere is mentioned that voters be persuaded by gifts,” thus doing so is not acceptable.

Opening the CCM regional branch office, the party leader said the tour was aimed at showing the residents what the party and government has done in the area.

She asked CCM members to exercise solidarity as there is strength in unity, stressing that doing so will make the party strong and retain the country’s leadership as it drives to prosperity.

She said that both governments bear a great burden to facilitate development for the people, describing situations where people sit back and blame the government. When the Mainland conducts local government elections this year, Zanzibar needs to prepare for the general election in 2025 “so that CCM continues to lead the government.”

The president was relieved by the construction of the Chaani Masingini party branch office, praising the regional leadership for those efforts, saying that the work is a symbol of the party’s strength.

“Having a branch is one thing,” she said, demanding that party leaders work for the people and protect national interests, while fostering patriotism.

The branch is one of 12 branches in Chaani constituency with a mixed population of fishers, farmers, and entrepreneurs. The branch has 1,900 members, with the building work largely funded by Nadil Abdulatif, the Chaani member of the House.