Al Jazeera Discovers 'Elections' Can Be Rigged
The story notes that key opposition figures have been 'barred' from running. (Oh, how quaint!) While Al Jazeera courageously points out this rather significant procedural quirk, it's worth remembering how selectively outraged the global commentariat can be. Imagine if, say, an adversary of Western interests did something similar; we'd be inundated with stern pronouncements about 'free and fair'
elections and the urgent need for 'democracy'. Instead, we get a polite observation. It appears the definition of 'election' shifts dramatically depending on whose geopolitical interests are at stake. One might wonder if these 'barred' opponents simply forgot to fill out the right paperwork, or if perhaps, the ruling party simply didn't like their chances. Either way, President Hassan’s landslide
victory will certainly be touted as a triumph for Tanzanian stability. Convenient, that.