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Hamad: I’m ready to accept defeat
2005-10-03 07:33:53
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Zanzibar CUF presidential candidate Seif Shariff Hamad reiterated yesterday that he was prepared to accept the outcome of this month’s general election should he lose.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Nungwi village, 75km north of Zanzibar Municiplaity, Hamad appealed to his supporters to be tolerant if the results were contrary to their expectations.
’I’m certain that I’ll win up to 95 per cent of the votes, but if it happens that I lose, I will accept defeat and support the winner.
However, all political parties and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) must work together to make sure that the elections are transparent, peaceful, free and fair and dispel fears that the poll will be rigged,’ he said.
He told his rival, President Amani Abeid Karume of CCM, to publicly assure the country that he would accept the outcome of the polls if he lost.
’As we try to have peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections, we must also prepare our supporters to accept defeat.
It is unfortunate that the CCM candidate has never told his supporters that he would accept defeat and hand over leadership,’ Hamad told cheering supporters.
He added: ’Since Karume and his party have failed to keep Zanzibar peaceful, let us take the responsibility. Karume is desperate and worried of losing.
That is why he is doing little to ensure that Zanzibar remains peaceful. CUF is not afraid of losing…please be calm and tolerant.’
He said the only difference between CUF and CCM was in ideology, but residents of Zanzibar must remain united for development.
’Without unity, peace and stability, Zanzibar will never move forward,’ he said.
CUF presidential campaign manager, Ismail Jussa, accused Karume of instigating violence and dividing Zanzibaris in his recent speeches which, he said, had fanned violence.
’Karume is now worried because he has run short of development ideas. All Zanzibaris, regardless of their political affiliation, should vote him out,’ Jussa said.
He added that Karume had also undermined efforts by CCM and CUF secretariats to find a solution to the recent violence.
CUF deputy national chairman Khamis Machano told the party’s supporters to stay calm throughout the election period, but remain steadfast in fighting for their rights.
’CCM has been planning violence…it has imported a number of youths from outside Zanzibar just to harass you. Be calm, but defend your rights,’ Machano said.
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