Five aspirants pick up nomination papers
 
2005-07-12 07:53:35
By Mwondoshah Mfanga

	Prof. Leonard Shayo of Demokrasia Makini receive presidential nomination forms.

Five contestants for the Union presidency picked up nomination forms from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) yesterday to begin the initial process of getting endorsement before August 20.

With the exception of two, all promised to form a government of national unity if they win the polls.

The aspirants who collected the forms were Prof Leonard Shayo of Demokrasia Makini, Prof. Ibrahim Lipumba of the Civic United Front (CUF) and Emmanuel Makaidi of the National League for Democracy (NLD). They promised to form a government of national unity.

Augustine Mrema of Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) and Dr Sengondo Mvungi of NCCR-Mageuzi made a similar promise. All, with the exception of Dr Mvungi, who was represented by his director of elections, Magetta Bhakoma, turned up personally to pick up the forms.

Prof Shayo, who was the first to collect the forms, told The Guardian that he would return duly filled forms in three weeks. He said his party is in serious financial problems that may limit his travel around the country to get endorsement.

	Augustine Mrema of the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP)receive presidential nomination forms.

’’We are a new party and have not yet been entitled to government subsidy. We are therefore going to use cheaper means of getting endorsement to enable us finish the exercise in good time,’’ the mathematics professor, who was accompanied by his secretary-general, Dominick Lyamchai, said.

CUF’s Prof Lipumba said he was out to liberate Tanzanians economically by creating 500,000 more jobs, beef up the budget for agriculture by 15 per cent and raise economic growth to 10 per cent per annum in five years.

Tanzania’s annual economic growth stands at six per cent. Agriculture takes less than five per cent of the government’s budget.

He also said that, once in power, he would make sure that Tanzania takes part in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Asked how he would achieve his targets, Prof Lipumba said he would home in on tax evaders, clamp down on pilferage and embezzlement of government property.

Prof Lipumba expressed confidence that CUF would win the poll this time round.

Makaidi said he would abandon the current plan to move the capital to Dodoma, adding that he would turn some of the buildings in the designated capital into universities research institutions.

	Emmanuel Makaidi of the National League for Democracy (NLD) at the Center cerebrity with his members.

A group of Makonde traditional drummers added colour and pomp to the occasion, forcing Makaidi to join them and do a few jigs.

Mrema’s arrival at the NEC offices located at Posta House changed the mood as it attracted workers in the neighbourhood who came to see what was going on.

Riding on a tricycle (guta) with his running mate, Rukia Kiota, Mrema was accompanied by taarab and a group of traditional dancers.

Mrema told reporters that he is standing again because he wants to do away with corruption, eliminate poverty and guard the country’s resources against the avarice of foreigners.

He said he was not in favour of a government of national unity, but would for the time being leave options open.

Five other presidential hopefuls are yet to pick nominations forms. They are Jakaya Kikwete of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), John Cheyo of United Democratic Party (UDP), Christopher Mtikila of the Democratic Party (DP), James Mapalala of Chausta, John Lifa Chipaka of Tanzania Democratic Alliance (Tadea) and the Chadema aspirant.

• SOURCE: Guardian