TEF applauds CHADEMA for transparent, peaceful election

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Editors’ Forum (TEF) has commended members and leaders of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) for conducting a transparent, peaceful, and highly professional election.

According to a statement issued yesterday by TEF Chairperson, Deodatus Balile, the forum urges other opposition parties in the country to emulate what CHADEMA has done in establishing the legitimacy of their leadership.

Recently, CHADEMA held elections for its top national leaders, electing Tundu Lissu (Chairperson), John Heche (Vice-Chairperson for Tanzania Mainland), and Said Mzee Said (Vice-Chairperson for Zanzibar) while John Mnyika was reappointed as CHADEMA Secretary General.

The election of the leaders concludes an election process that began at the grassroots level and proceeded to the national level, with CHADEMA securing leadership at all levels. This election has demonstrated the vitality and resilience of CHADEMA.

“We congratulate the political maturity displayed by the former CHADEMA Chairperson, Freeman Mbowe, who led the party for 21 years, for accepting defeat and peacefully handing over power,” reads part of the statement.

The statement added, “We are aware that there was significant tension during the campaign and the situation escalated to the point where the police increased security to levels never before witnessed. However, in the end, everything proceeded peacefully.”

TEF further expressed confidence that Lissu will collaborate with the outgoing leadership to heal the wounds caused by the heated campaigns both within and outside the party.

On Wednesday, Mr Lissu pledged to reform and strengthen the party, including introducing term limits for leadership.

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Meanwhile, the outgoing chairman, Mr Mbowe, conceded defeat and urged the new leadership to begin healing the divisions caused during the election.

He also encouraged the leaders to adhere to the party’s constitution as a guiding document to strengthen the organisation.

In the election, which began on Tuesday and concluded in the early hours of Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, Mr Lissu secured 513 votes, representing 51.5 per cent of the 996 valid votes. A total of 999 votes were cast, with three deemed spoiled.

The outgoing chairman, Mr Mbowe, received 482 votes (48.3 per cent), while Charles Odero garnered just one vote.

Mr John Heche was announced as Vice-Chairman (Mainland), while Mr Said Mzee Said, who succeeded Mr Said Issa Mohammed after his withdrawal from the race, was declared ViceChairman for Zanzibar.

The exercise marked a significant milestone for the party as the country prepares for the General Election later this year.

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman described the election as historic for the party, setting new standards.

He emphasised fairness, equality and unity within the party and called for reforms, including leadership term limits.

“I will establish term limits for leadership, starting with myself. This will be done carefully, not arbitrarily, ensuring continuity while allowing for change. We will create better procedures for our elections.

I want to assure you that I am not a person of vengeance; I am a person of justice. For that reason, I will not seek revenge,” said Mr Lissu.