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Tanzanians living abroad want to vote
By Beatrice Bandawe, Windhoek, IPP Media
Thu, Apr 13, 2006
Tanzanians living in Namibia have appealed to President Jakaya Kikwete to look into the possibility of those living and working outside the country to vote in the 2010 elections.
’We are Tanzanians. We love our country. We request the government to set up an arrangement to allow us exercise our constitutional rights of voting in the next general election,’ said one of the speakers.
The Tanzanians said although they were far away from home, they were closely monitoring developments taking place in their country.
The President acknowledged there was a problem but reserved his comments.
’I have taken note of your concern but I cannot promise anything at the moment.
The matter is, however, debatable,’ said the President, citing Mozambique, whose citizens living abroad, were allowed to vote during the last elections.
He seized the opportunity to appeal to Tanzanians to maintain and strengthen the existing unity, respect each other and shun religious, tribal and racial differences.
’I commend you for self organisation in maintaining unity and the way you are co-operating with Namibians despite of the fact that you have no embassy here,’ he said.
He told Tanzanians living abroad to respect laws and laid down regulations of the host countries, cautioning that the government was not ready to defend criminals.
’We will not defend drug dealers, robbers, rapists and anybody who violates laws of the host countries,’ he insisted.
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