Shein warns poll observers against interference

PRESIDENT Ali Mohammed Shein has said that election observers from Europe and elsewhere are welcome to monitor polls in Zanzibar but should not 'drive us.'"We are ready to conduct peaceful elections and we welcome international election observers. But, some observers have a tendency of interfering in the election process.

If they come I will inform them that they are not allowed to interfere with any of the election processes," Dr Shein said.

He was speaking at a reception accorded to him by the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members and supporters following his approval in Dodoma as Zanzibar's party flag-bearer in the October general elections. Dr Shein said there are some election observers who come with an agenda of interfering in the election process, but they should know that it is against the law.

"We are capable of conducting free, fair and credible elections because we have good experience in the past elections (2010)," Dr Shein said, adding that Zanzibar has got a good record on elections.

In addition to international election observers, local organisations also monitor elections. The elections commission is likely to release election codes to all observers before the election day.