It’s battle of flags in Dar as polling day gets nearer

Dar es Salaam. The two main political parties in the contest to determine who forms the post-Kikwete government via the Sunday elections are now battling for space to hoist their respective flags, besides pasting portraits of their aspirants at every available spot.

For the past one week, major road junctions and streets in the city have been decorated by flags of the ruling CCM and the main opposition Chadema.

This search for strategic locations has, in some instances, led to war of words among the devotees and even physical fights.

Our week-long survey has witnessed chains and chains of flags of the two parties at almost all major junctions and along highways in the city.

Followers of these parties volunteer to spend sleepless nights at all areas where their flags have been hoisted to guard them against vandals.

When the campaigns kicked off in August, it was pictures of the candidates that decorated streets on banners, billboards, walls, shops, trees, vehicles and very few flags that were seen.

But today, no electricity pole or tree has been spared of CCM and Chadema flags. Virtually all commuter buses, motorcycles and bajajs are fixed with flags of either or both of these two parties, signaling the hugest political battle in the history of indepndent Tanzania.

This new campaign style had never been experienced in past general elections since re-introduction of multi-party democracy in Tanzania in 1992.

On Saturday, supporters of the two parties nearly came to blows at Kariakoo Fire traffic lights junction in the city as each side of the political divide accused the other of invading “our territory”.

Every camp wants to occupy the most vantage position to enable motorists and pedestrians to notice their flags.

At Ubungo traffic lights junction, it is petty traders who own the territories for flying their flags of choise. It is wholly decorated with flags of CCM and Chadema and placards of their political parties.

One CCM member at Ubungo traffic lights junction Jumanne Mzinga, said they have been putting up their party’s flags to sensitise the youth to vote for the ruling party to win the election.

“This is a historic election…we have never experienced this kind of contest before, so we must sensitise the youth to come out in big numbers to cast their ballot as they turned out to register as voters,” he said.

A Chadema supporter at the same area Edrausi Riziki said: “I volunteered to hoist all flags at this junction. I understand it is risky to climb up the electricity poles but I do so for the sake of change,” he said.

According to Mr Riziki, some young people have volunteered to sleep at the junction to guard their party flags and every supporter is required to contribute money for the guards’ meals.

At Temeke Hospital area, flags are flying high on top of trees, electricity poles and homesteads. Mr Hamdani Kitindi said people needed change, adding that the flags have been provided by the respective party stalwarts but the ideas on how to display them come from the youth.

A resident at Kinondoni Studio Shedrack Lyimo said they hoist the flags during the night when there are few vehicles on the roads or pedestrians to interfere with their work.

At the city centre, flags of the two parties and portraits of candidates decorate all the way to State House.