Zanzibar elections

A political crisis on Zanzibar – where a “rogue” election commissioner is preparing to waste time, money and goodwill on a vote with a predetermined outcome – is being overlooked by President Magufuli, argues Nick Branson.

The opening of the National Assembly on 17 November follows the inauguration of a new president, John Magufuli. Yet three weeks after Tanzanians went to the polls, Zanzibar is still mired in a political crisis, says Nick Branson.

Nick Branson identifies constituencies in Tanzania where opposition chances of electoral success have been improved by local developments, political scandals or party defections since 2010.

Maïlys Chauvin’s account of election preparations in Zanzibar highlights a number of worrying developments that challenges “received wisdom” about good governance in Tanzania and electoral credibility.