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President hits out at voter buying
2005-12-31 09:39:40
By Patrick Kisembo
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete yesterday warned politicians who spend huge sums of money to buy votes, saying if allowed to take root, the conduct would put the country in the hands of few rich people.
The President who was delivering his inaugural speech at Parliament in Dodoma said rich people who buy voters were dangerous to the security of the nation.
He said there was a need to hold a national dialogue and strike a deal on the right procedures to be followed during elections.
’’We must agree on how much money a candidate should spend on the election and from what source,’’ he said.
President Kikwete said the dialogue should also provide the answer as to whether the law that allows candidates to entertain the electorate in the name of hospitality (takrima) should remain in the law books.
’’If we are not cautious, our country will be put on sale by greedy politicians,’’ he said.
The President said his government, and the ruling party in particular would not discriminate against the opposition, adding that to the contrary, he would help strengthen their base.
However, he warned the opposition against waging accusations on the ruling party after losing badly in the elections.
’’They should ask themselves why did the people reject them, instead of pointing an accusing finger at CCM,’’ he said.
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