Tanzania: Row Over Identity Cards Rages By Issa Yussuf 29 December 2014 Zanzibar — AS the referendum on the proposed union constitution gets closer, a cracking row over the right of Zanzibar Resident Identity (ZanID) is raging again, with local government leaders (Shehas) facing allegations of discrimination. The Civic United Front (CUF) party led by its Secretary General Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad has been complaining against deliberate hurdles in issuing the ZanID to his followers. Shehas and the minister responsible for ZanID, Mr Haji Omar Kheri, have denied the accusations, saying that ZanIDs are issued to all Zanzibaris who fulfil the requirement and that any person with complaints should report to respective bodies. Mr Hamad made his latest accusation last week during a CUF rally in Pemba where he threatened to take the matter to the revolutionary council (Zanzibar cabinet meeting) and put pressure to the president. It is very sad that youths are denied application forms for the ZanID, this is unacceptable, all genuine Zanzibaris at the age of 18 should be given the ZanID, said Mr Hamad, who is also Zanzibars First Vice- President. Mr Hamad was reacting on reports from leaders from his party that in mainly CUF strong holds, it is always very difficult for the youths to get the ZanID. CUF legislators in the Zanzibar House of Representatives have repeatedly made similar accusations where government leaders respond by dismissing the allegations as false. The second Vice-President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi has also dismissed the allegations as baseless and called on local leaders (Shehas) to be vigilant in issuing the ZanID. Do not be teased by politicians, only people who meet the requirements should be given the identity cards, Mr Iddi said yesterday in Pemba. The IDs are issued by the Office of the Zanzibaris Registration and Identity Issuing Office, but the process begins from local leaders who supply applications. According to the elections laws in Zanzibar, only Zanzibaris with ZanID qualify to get voting cards. allafrica/stories/201412270049.html
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:27:18 +0000
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