EA States should learn from Tanzanian poll

Tanzanians displayed mature democracy with a level playing field for all candidates who took part in the General Election.

The media fraternity did an excellent job by giving equal coverage to all political parties and offering civic education.

The electoral commission also played a major role bearing in mind that the team was appointed by the government but still was non-partisan. Comparatively, this has not been the case with many African countries.

The use of force by the police to intimidate voters was not witnessed, save for a few cases of fracas that were well addressed by the national police.

No elections have ever taken place in Africa without the citizens of such countries facing police brutality.

The leading candidates and other politicians were in the forefront of preaching peace as they sold their policies to the electorate. The elections were issue-based. There was a written agreement between stakeholders and politicians on how to gauge the people in a manner likely to unite them before and after the election.

The election has ended and nation building is on as usual and the people are going on with their lives with very little post-election stress.

Tanzania has set the pace of good democracy. This election has come at a time when neighbouring countries are struggling to amend their constitution in favour of the ruling class.

The Rwandese have just amended their constitution to allow the president to seek a third term while Ugandans are blocking the opposition and Burundians have just concluded a contested election, which was condemned by civil society and western observers.

Kenya is not exceptional as the tyranny of number syndrome and reckless utterances by politicians are polarising ahead of 2017.

East African countries have a lot to learn from the Tanzanian election.