Tanzania candidate summoned over rigging claim

Tanzania’s main opposition presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, has been summoned to appear before the National Electoral Commission’s ethics committee on Tuesday after he alleged that President John Magufuli had convened a meeting with district executive directors to discuss rigging October’s election.

Senior election official Wilson Mahere said the allegation was meant to paint a picture that the poll would not be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.

The registrar of political parties has also written a letter to Mr Lissu’s Chadema party, saying his remarks posed a threat to national security.

District executive directors are required by law to act as constituency returning officers during the election. The government has denied Mr Lissu’s allegation.