{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Opposition, CCM lock horns over TV debate - News

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Opposition--CCM-lock-horns-over-TV-debate/-/2558/2877258/-/iaqhib/-/index.html

Opposition, CCM lock horns over TV debate

The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi and the opposition alliance Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi have differed over list of leaders scheduled to participate in the a television debate slated for next month.

While Ukawa insists that the debate should involve representatives of the political parties, CCM has maintained that individual presidential hopefuls should take part, as they are the ones seeking electoral office.

Since 1995, when retired president Benjamin Mkapa participated in a debate while vying for office, CCM presidential candidates have consistently rejected such events. But opposition parties have been holding public forums.

During the 2010 campaigns, CCM barred its candidates vying for parliamentary seats from televised debates. President Jakaya Kikwete also rejected calls to participate in debates in the 2005 and 2010 campaigns.

A civic movement championing the people's voice, Twaweza, in collaboration with the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), has invited the eight presidential candidates for a televised debate slated for October 18 — a week to the election.

But Ukawa has been reluctant to let their presidential candidate Edward Lowassa participate in the debate, with political pundits pointing to his visible ill health.

Mr Lowassa has been in frail health since he launched his presidential campaigns and has only addressed his political rallies for fewer than 20 minutes.

Ukawa comprises Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), National Convention for Reconstruction and Reform (NCCR-Mageuzi), National League for Democracy (NLD) and Civic United Front (CUF).

James Mbatia, NCCR-Mageuzi chairman, who doubles as Ukawa co-chair, said their coalition would send a representative to the debate "because Ukawa is not a political party."

In a quick rebuttal, CCM campaign team leader January Makamba laughed off Ukawa's suggestion that political parties participating in the election should be allowed to send their representatives. He said CCM candidate Dr John Magufuli was ready to face Mr Lowassa.

"Nowhere in the world do you see leaders of the parties participating in an election go for debates. It is the candidates who debate," he said.

The last time the nation watched a presidential candidates debate was 1995 during the first multiparty election when CCM's Benjamin Mkapa, NCCR-Mageuzi's Augustine Mrema, who had defected from the ruling party and resigned from his position and deputy prime minister and United Democratic Party's John Cheyo faced off in a debate organised by Business Times Ltd.

A major issue expected to feature in the debates is parties' election manifestoes. For instance, Mr Lowassa is likely to face questions about his role in the infamous Richmond scandal, which led to his resignation as prime minister in 2008, after a parliamentary probe team recommended his sacking over the multibillion-shilling energy deal.

Dr Magufuli, on the other hand, is likely to be taken to task over his party's failure to govern the country and corruption allegations that have dogged President Kikwete's government.

Religious sentiments are likely to be a deciding factor though. While there is an unwritten rule that Muslims and Christians should take turns on the presidency, there is growing political tension between the two religious groups.

While Tanzania in 1973 banned profiling people on the basis of their religion, unofficial statistics show that Muslims comprise 45 per cent of the population, Christians 39 per cent and indigenous religions 29 per cent.

Dr Magufuli is Catholic while Mr Lowassa is Lutheran. A video clip apparently shot using a mobile phone camera has been circulating on social media, showing Mr Lowassa asking members of the congregation of the Tabora Lutheran church to pray for him "because since its creation the nation has never had a Lutheran president.

The clip has caused a furore, with CCM and other groups accusing Mr Lowassa of dividing the nation on religious lives.

Mr Makamba said at a press conference that this amounts to religious incitement.

"We expected Ukawa would use their meeting with journalists to apologise and explain what really happened on September 6, in Tabora when Lowassa asked Lutherans to vote for him. But they have never done so," he said.

However, in a televised show, Mr Mbatia said yesterday that Mr Lowassa did not ask for votes but for prayers.

Additional reporting by Elias Mhegera

Opposition, CCM lock horns over TV debate - News

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Opposition--CCM-lock-horns-over-TV-debate/-/2558/2877258/-/iaqhib/-/index.html

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