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Voters in Tanzania's Zanzibar Cast Ballots on Referendum

   Constitutional  amendment  would allow rival parties to form coalition
   government

   VOA News 31 July 2010

   Voters  in  Tanzania's  semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar are casting
   ballots  on  a constitutional amendment that would allow rival parties
   to form a coalition government.
   Officials  said  Saturday  voting  was  proceeding peacefully and they
   hoped for a large turnout from the around 400,000 eligible voters.
   The  referendum  is designed to end years of political strife that has
   marred previous elections.
   Under  the plan, two vice presidential positions would be created that
   would be split between the leading parties in parliamentary elections.
   President  Amani Karume and other members of his ruling CCM party have
   urged  residents  to  vote  "yes" to the referendum.  The measure has
   also gained support from leaders of the main opposition party, CUF.
   Zanzibar  gained  independence  from Britain in 1963, then united with
   Tanganyika  the  following  year  to  form what became the republic of
   Tanzania.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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