It seems to be a season ripe for elections with Tanzania having just come out of it and the incumbent President John Pombe Magufuli being declared winner. He was inaugurated yesterday for a new five-year term. On winning, Magufuli thanked Tanzanians for trusting him. His opponent, Tundu Lissu, who got back home just in time for elections got a measly 13% of the vote. After elections, a section of Tanzanians were enraged to the point of threatening political action, but according to a friend who lives in Scotland, they chickened out.
Elsewhere in East Africa, Uganda just concluded nominations for presidential contestants, they are 11 in number with former news Anchor Nancy Kalembe being the only female in the race. The Ugandan election is worth watching because of many first timers; it’s such ‘katogo’ that even features a past close ally of the incumbent, a musician turned politician who is saying it is time for the young to lead. He comes from a background relatable to many. From the first time he joined politics Bobi Wine has successfully caused a storm, he brought new life, blood and energy into the political scene. Also interestingly it is the first time in years that Col. Kizza Besigye isn’t taking part.
I was about to talk about elections in Kenya then realised there is still a long way to go, although by the nature of the country any time is politics time. Right now there are rallies being held for building Bridges Initiative, and if you don’t pay close attention you would think they are campaigns for elections scheduled for early 2021. We will write about the Kenyan elections in 2022.
Away from Africa, world super power USA went to the polls on November 3, and on Wednesday 4, incumbent President Trump called an early victory for himself and said he is being robbed. Now Trump is not your ordinary US president, from the time he set foot in the White House he did things and behaved completely different from other presidents. He has been the president that slams pressmen and literally takes the microphone away from anyone he does not want to hear from. Trump has experienced love and hate in equal measure.
It is the norm in many African countries for election results to be contested as soon as they start tilting towards one side. Suddenly the other starts ranting, complaining, threatening and alleging foul play. That is exactly what America is witnessing. Few saw Trump winning an election 4 years ago; in 2020 a serious war was waged rallying Americans to send Trump home. He downplayed it.
Midway through vote counting Trump went to court to stop the process in some states, quite unusual. We are used to seeing a loser in the US election conceding defeat, congratulating and wishing the winner well when the trend is upwards for one party with no hope of things changing.
Biden on the other hand vowed to wait until all the votes were counted before conceding or claiming victory.
What an election season!