Dilma Rousseff elected first female president of Brazil

Brazil’s ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff (pictured) has defeated Social Democrat Jose Serra in Brazil’s runoff poll to become the first woman president of Latin America’s largest country.

As anticipated, Brazil’s ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff beat her rival, a former Sao Paulo state governor, in Sunday’s second round of the presidential election to become the first woman ever to lead Latin American’s most powerful economy.

Rousseff, who has promised to continue the economic policies of her predecessor, President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, picked up almost 56% of the vote.

Rousseff’s victory was largely owed to the endorsement of the popular outgoing president, who hand-picked Rousseff, 62, to succeed him, and is leaving the presidency in January with an approval rating above 80 percent.

Some 135 million people were eligible to vote, which is compulsory in Brazil. Among them, 15 million voters also cast ballots in runoff elections for governor in eight states and the federal district of Brasilia.

The election was the fifth democratic presidential poll since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985.

Abortion hounds candidates

An economist and former energy minister, Rousseff had never run for elected office and was considered an obscure figure until Lula picked her as his successor.

Despite the former president’s endorsement, she fell short of the 50 percent majority needed in the October 3 first round when Serra defied predictions of an electoral routing.

Evangelical Green Party candidate Marina Silva, who came third in the first round, siphoned votes away from Rousseff. It was widely speculated that evangelical Christians punished Rousseff for not clearly expressing her opinion on abortion.

“Abortion became a deciding theme in the election,” Time magazine correspondent Dominic Phillips told FRANCE 24, adding that Pope Benedict XVI even “ordered bishops to tell Catholics to vote for the candidate that would be most against abortion.

Despite Serra’s hopes that Silva would endorse him for the second round, the Green Party politician stayed neutral. Analysts say Serra proved to be the less charismatic candidate on the campaign trail and he was unable to overcome the popular support for the Workers Party following years of massive economic growth.

Although she hails from a privileged background, Rousseff leans left. The daughter of a Bulgarian immigrant and Brazilian mother, Rousseff enjoyed a comfortable childhood. She joined the underground student resistance against the military dictatorship that came to power in 1964, and was imprisoned for three years and tortured.

A trained economist, she was serving as the secretary of energy and mining for the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul when Lula picked her in 2002 to head the country’s vital energy ministry.

She has been touted as the driving force behind Brazil’s National Growth Acceleration Programme, a massive infrastructure and housing project designed to boost the country’s economy.

Liverpool boss Hodgson: Dalglish is no threat

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says that he does not view Kenny Dalglish as a threat, despite the Anfield legend being continually linked with his job.

Dalglish has publically admitted that he would love to take over at Liverpool for a second time, as he continues to fulfil an ambassadorial and scouting role for the club, and many have suggested that the former great will take over from Hodgson given the club's awful start to the season.

Hodgson, however, views Dalglish as a big asset, although did claim that he may one day take over the reins at Anfield.

"If Kenny's presence is a threat it is, but the fact is I'm not prepared to pass up on quality people who can help us move forward because I'm personally frightened,'' Hodgson told the Sunday Mirror. "If the day comes that they decide they want Kenny Dalglish and not me then so be it.

"That wasn't the case in the summer, but that's not to say it won't be forever more. But I have no fears in that respect. I know what I can bring to the job and what qualities I have. I'm not a political person, I'm not frightened of these things.

"I don't know about his ambition, but you can understand that I can't ask him, 'do you want my job? I was disappointed - and I've told him this - that he applied for the job in the summer because I don't think that was ever really going to happen for him."

Hodgson did revealed that his predecessor Rafa Benitez was not so supportive of Dalglish's involvement on in the playing side of the club.

"When they wanted me for the job, I made it clear to Kenny that he would be with me - not like with Benitez, when he was here in name but not allowed to step foot in Melwood and it was 'we don't want anything to do with you,'' he added.

"I told Kenny, 'that won't be the case, I want to tap into you for all the things you can bring', not least his iconic status. He's doing a very good job, helping us with our scouting, he still does a lot with the younger players at the academy and he also plays an ambassadorial role.

"You could not find a better person in the world to do that job for Liverpool Football Club and he should be doing it for other managers when I leave. His job should be a permanent one."

Mascherano: Lack of money the reason I left

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano claims that he quit the club because of a lack of investment in players by then-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

ascherano moved to Barcelona in an £18 million transfer this summer, having forced through his transfer by refusing to play for Liverpool anymore. His relationship with then-boss Rafa Benitez, the Anfield fans and the co-owners was called into question, but the Argentine has now revealed that it was a lack of money that eventually persuaded him to leave the club.

''While Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United were spending big money, Liverpool couldn't because they had no money,'' he told the Sun. ''The situation is clear to me. When you want to fight for big things, titles, you must have a big team to win. "But, at Liverpool, that wasn't the case. That was the main reason we didn't qualify for the Champions League and all players want to test themselves at that level."

Mascherano admitted that it was not an easy decision to make, but thinks that now the ownership situation has been sorted out, the club are in a much better position.

"It is not easy to leave a team when you have been there almost four years,'' he added. "The Liverpool people and fans treated me very well. I cannot say anything against them and they will always be in my heart. But, though it was difficult, I knew my time there was over. Finished. I needed to go.

"I try to watch all of Liverpool's games on TV. They have had a tough start but I'm sure they'll get much better. There have been a lot of problems with the owners and this has affected things on the pitch. Now this has been sorted out, I think things will get better for the team."

Zanzibaris go to polls relaxed

ZANZIBARIS go to the polls relaxed on Sunday, after adversary CCM and CUF leaders promised co-operation to stop acts of violence that have featured in past elections in the Isles.

Campaign rallies held by the two parties in Unguja Island on Saturday were calm, indicating that Sunday’s election will be held peacefully.

CCM and CUF leaders continued to solicit votes from their members, instructing them on how to take part in Sunday’s exercise.

On Saturday, the Island of Unguja was calm. Businesses at the famous Darajani area went on as usual, while taxi drivers made lucrative business to transport Zanzibaris who were arriving from Dar es Salaam to take part in the voting exercise on Sunday.

“I live in the mainland, but I was registered in Zanzibar. I did not like to miss this historic event”, said Omar Abdallah Omar who runs an electronic shop at Kariakoo area in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Saturday issued a statement, saying that votes for Councillors and Members of the House of Representatives will be tallied at special areas located in all the districts.

“The results will be announced by the Districts’ Returning Officers after being verified by relevant parties, including agents of the political parties”, said ZEC chairman Mr Khatib Mwinyichande.

ZEC is the only authoritative commission mandated totally presidential candidates’ votes and also announce the winner after the results have been verified by relevant authorities.

By yesterday afternoon, ZEC had already distributed ballot papers to almost all polling stations in Unguja and Pemba. The exercise was expected to end last night.

According to ZEC, polling stations will open at 7.00am and close at 4.00pm. In August this year, Zanzibar residents voted to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) which will allow rival parties to form a coalition government after the Sunday’s elections.

The power-sharing agreement is designed to end years of political strife that had marred previous elections in Zanzibar. The decision to form GNU in Zanzibar was not an easy one. It was based on the outcome of elections in Zanzibar since 1995 and the animosity that emerged thereafter.

Moustafa Khataw, chairman of the Tanzania Society of Travel Agents, says he doesn’t anticipate any trouble at this year’s elections. He said: “Zanzibar has learned from its previous mistakes and this time we have no tensions around the elections.”

ElecEletions in 4 Zanzibar wards postponed to 28 Nov - Zec

THE Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC) has postponed elections in four wards due to miss location of ballot papers.

The commission’s director Mr Salum Kassim Ali said that the elections of the four wards would be held on November 28, this year.

He mentioned the wards with their constituencies in brackets as Mchangani ( Mji Mkongwe), Kwahani (Kwahani), Miembeni (Kikwajuni) and Nyerere (Magomeni).

Meanwhile, the Civic United Front (CUF) Union presidential candidate, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba has commended the role played by police force in making sure that peace prevailed in the just ended campaigns.

He asked the force to remain fair in Sunday’s elections. Addressing hundreds of party’s members who gathered at Mabibo Mpakani grounds, Ubungo Constituency in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, Prof Lipumba thanked Inspector General of Police (IGP) Said Mwema for the job well done.

“When someone has done something good worth acknowledging, we should always congratulate them. I would therefore like to thank the police force for doing their work thoroughly in these campaigns. I urge them to fairly supervise elections tomorrow (today),” he said.

Tanzanians vote in general elections

Tanzanian polls, expected to hand incumbent Jakaya Kikwete a final term began smoothly Sunday, but voters at some centres on the mainland and in Zanzibar complained of poor organisation.

Some voters who had turned up early in the economic capital Dar es Salaam complained they had not been briefed on the procedure, their names were missing from the list and that the exercise began late.

"Yes we have heard about that. We do not know how how widespread it is. Some voters are turning up and finding their names are not on the list and are unable to vote. Apart from that, voting is proceeding in an orderly manner," said Paul East, head of the Commonwealth observer group.

On the country's semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar, which has seen bloody poll violence in the past, voting largely opened on time and was orderly despite an early morning downpour.

On both the mainland and in Zanzibar men and women queued in separate lines. Agence Frannce-Presse correspondents said the process was relatively time-consuming because each voter was choosing legislators and local councillors as well as a president.

The Zanzibar electoral commission said voting for councillors had been delayed in some parts of Pemba island and blamed the "mis-allocation" of ballot papers.

"We want peace and we want economic change. We've been educating our children and yet there are no jobs for them," said 61-year-old Mustafa Masha who came to vote in central Dar es Salaam.

Nurdin Shabir, a trader at another station nearby said: "To me peace is of paramount importance so I can continue making a living for me and my family."

Kikwete, who has pledged to improve education, health and infrastructure, has predicted victory over his five rivals, some of whom have criticised him for failing to tackle rampant poverty and corruption.

"Our party will win. I have no doubt about that," he told thousands of jubilant supporters at a final rally Saturday in Dar es Salaam.

"We have fulfilled our pledges. We still have a long way to go but our objectives are very achievable."

The opposition Civic United Front's (CUF) presidential candidate Ibrahim Lipumba criticised Kikewete for failing to honour pledges he made when he first came to power five years ago.

Lipumba is contesting for the fourth time after losing twice to Kikwete's predecessor and to Kikwete himself in 2005.

Opinion polls have given Kikwete, a former foreign minster, a wide lead.

Wilbrod Slaa of the Chadema party, a first-time contender, is Kikwete's closest rival but scored just 10% in opinion polls released this month.

During his time as a legislator Slaa (62) pioneered an anti-graft drive that saw the resignation of prime minister Edward Lowassa, several lawmakers and the central bank governor.

In Zanzibar, veteran opposition politician Seif Sharif Hamad of the CUF will face ali Mohamed Shein of the Party of the Revolution (CCM) for the island's presidency in a contest expected to be closely fought.

But under a power-sharing Constitution adopted in July, they are likely to serve in a unity government aimed at ending recurrent election violence.

The run-up to this year's elections has been the liveliest since Tanzania, East Africa's largest country, returned to multiparty politics in 1992.

Tanzania has enjoyed relative stability since independence in 1961 unlike its neighbours which have been plagued by unrest. - AFP

Tanzania's President Kikwete tipped for election win

Voters in Tanzania are going to the polls to elect the East African country's president and parliament.

President Jakaya Kikwete, who has been credited with boosting the nation's economy, is seen by many as a favourite to secure his second and final term.

His main opponents are Willibrod Slaa, a former priest, and university professor Ibrahim Lipumba, who say the government has failed to tackle widespread poverty.

Voters are also electing 239 lawmakers.

Continue reading the main story

Related stories

• Can polls help tackle corruption?

Zanzibar deal

More than 19 million people were eligible to cast their ballots when the polls opened at 0700 local time (0400 GMT).

A total of 18 political parties are competing, with seven candidates vying for the presidency.

President Kikweke, of the governing CCM party, was elected with more than 80% of the vote in 2005 and is now expecting to win again.

On Saturday, thousands of his supporters danced and cheered during a rally in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Mr Kikweke promises to reduce poverty, improve health, education and transport, says the BBC's Josphat Makori in Dar es Salaam.

But Mr Kikweke's critics accuse his government of not living up to similar pledges during his first term, our correspondent says.

More than 50% of Tanzanians still live below the poverty line, according to the IMF.

On Sunday, voters in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar - which enjoys a degree of autonomy from Tanzania - will also be going to the polls.

They will be electing their leaders for the first time since a power-sharing deal was struck between Zanzibar's two main political parties.

The agreement was aimed at bringing to an end the violence that erupted during Zanzibar's polls in 2000 and 2005.

Brazil set to elect new president

Brazilians are voting to choose a new president to succeed the popular Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Opinion polls suggest the governing Workers Party candidate Dilma Rousseff has a clear lead over Jose Serra of the opposition Social Democratic Party.

Ms Rousseff has enjoyed the full support of President Lula, who is leaving office after two terms with record popularity ratings.

If she wins she will become Brazil's first woman president.

Polls opened at 1000GMT and are due to close at 2000GMT.

Brazil uses an electronic voting system, and final results are expected within hours of the polls closing.

This second round of voting was forced after Ms Rousseff fell short of the 50% needed in the 3 October first round. She won 47% to Mr Serra's 33%.

John Henry on transfers

The NESV principal owner's comments follow a hands-off warning issued yesterday by Roy Hodgson with regards the future of Pepe Reina.

Henry said: "We have recently read stories about our intentions for the forthcoming January transfer window and have a sense of humour about this type of inevitable speculation.

"As everyone knows we are new to English football, but not to sport, and we are studying all options. Opportunities and value will drive spending in January and in the future.

"Our clear focus from day one of our ownership has been - and will be - to improve the club and focus on what it will take to put Liverpool FC consistently in a position to challenge for trophies.

"We intend to build this club the right way.

"Stories about our top players leaving are destructive and unwarranted but we realise that this kind of speculation is also common.

"We intend to build on the strength of the current squad, not undermine it. And I can reassure our supporters that we have no intention of allowing the team to be weakened going forward."

All this comes on a day when Hodgson outlined his plans to improve the squad in January and insisted the club could still attract top stars from around the world.

ZANZIBAR ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Legal basis

Constitution of Zanzibar 1984.

Election Act 1984.

Zanzibar Municipal Council Act 1995.

District and Town Councils Act 1995.

Electoral system

Parliamentary Elections: Single member plurality, first-past-the-post system of multiparty elections.

Presidential Elections: popular vote, plurality.

Election period

Presidential and parliamentary elections every 5 years, concurrent with Union elections.

Electoral institutions Zanzibari Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Director of Elections.

Functions of electoral institutions ZEC: Responsible for constituency delimitation, voter registration, conduct of elections and publication of results.

Director of Elections: Executive arm of the ZEC.

Independence of electoral institutions Members of the ZEC are appointed by the President and may be removed for failing to discharge duties or misconduct. The ZEC is not obliged to accept instructions from any external body.

Delimitation of constituencies

The ZEC reviews delimitation every 10 years. There are 50 constituencies.

Voter registration and voters' rolls

The ZEC is responsible for establishing a permanent voters' register.

Voter education

The ZEC is tasked by law with voter training and education.

Nomination of candidates

Parliamentary: A candidate must be proposed by a political party, pay a deposit and have the nomination endorsed by 25 voters in the constituency.

Presidential Elections: A candidate must be proposed by a political party, pay a deposit and have the nomination endorsed by 200 voters

Funding of political parties Parties represented in the House of Representatives are funded in proportion to the number of seats held. Private fundraising is not regulated.

Election campaign

No code of conduct for political parties was in place during the 2000 election16]. The Campaign meetings are prohibited at places of education and worship.

Communication The ZEC issues directives with the force of law to state media to provide equal opportunities for parties.

Counting After the close of the poll the ballot boxes are sealed by the presiding officer and candidates and the votes are counted and the results are returned to the returning officer for summation.

Announcement of results The returning officer summates the results submitted by the presiding officer and publishes/announces the final results publicly. The retuning officer then submits the results to the ZEC who publishes them in the government Gazette.

Conflict resolution

The constitution prohibits enquiry by the courts into "anything done by the Electoral Commission in performance of its functions". The Electoral Act provides for other petitions to be heard by the High Court.

Election observation

National and international observers are accredited by the ZEC and issued with Guidelines governing accreditation and observation and that includes a Code of Conduct.

CCM, CUF supporters decorate Zanzibar streets

The political atmosphere in Zanzibar has totally changed and this is reflected in the feelings of the Isles dwellers. A survey by this paper has shown that the newly emerging political feeling is at the peak as the campaigns come to a close with supporters of former rival political parties showing more respect and love to each other. This unprecedented situation was witnessed yesterday when jubilant members of the Civic United Front and those of Chama Cha Mapinduzi were seen competing in decorating various places using either party’s symbols or colours while boasting that each of the parties will emerge the winner in the General election on Sunday.

The supporters of the two parties with biggest followings in the Isles were seen yesterday placing party flags and flowers at the junction of Michenzani Road a few metres from Mwembe Kisonge in Zanzibar town.

While CUF supporters were flying party flags and carrying huge pictures of their Isles presidential candidate, Seif Sharrif Hamad, as they paraded around the area at night, those of the ruling party went about decorating road pavements in the same place with party colours and flags.

The incident attracted the attention of many passersby forcing some of them to stop by.

Vehicle drivers were seen stopping by for a while to watch pasted pictures of CCM presidential candidate for Zanzibar Dr Ali Mohammed Shein.

At Darajani and Mbweni Streets, two similar incidents also happened yesterday whereby supporters of the two parties, peacefully embarked on decorating the streets heralding establishment of the first government of national unity in the Isles after the General Election on Sunday.

The scene this time is very different from the previous general elections whereby supporters of the two rival parties were not tolerating each other.

International observers and Zanzibaris have been watching the unfolding situation with interest as the peaceful atmosphere descends to the islands where political turmoil and violence have always reigned during election periods.

While all this is happening, both CCM and CUF presidential candidates in Zanzibar have urged supporters to prepare themselves for the swearing in of either candidate early next month.

Dr Shein who has already plied four times between Pemba and Unguja for his campaigns said he was hopeful that Zanzibaris would pick CCM to continue ruling the Spice Islands.

In a campaign rally at Dimani grounds, in Unguja West District, he said there was no party capable of wrestling down the ruling CCM.

“Just prepare your suits and wait for my swearing in on November 5,” he said.

Dr Shein, who is the outgoing Union Vice President, said he had already prepared his suit for the swearing in ceremony.

“Our way to the State House is clear and we are now heading to the House,” Dr Shein said amid cheers from supporters.

He said in the Sunday election, his party would emerge the winner by scooping all the seats.

The former medicine doctor, Shein said CCM was a strong party and the only one capable of bringing solutions to problems facing Zanzibaris.

He further said that his party had done a great job in the past 45 years of bringing progress to people in the Isles and had a clear and strategic manifesto spelling out the direction of the islands.

For his part, Seif Sharif Hamad, who is in Unguja to finalise his campaign trail, called upon his supporters to believe that their party “will win the Isles presidential post for the first time.”

Hamad, a former teacher turned politician, said that he had no problem with Dr Shein’s bid to prepare his suit for the swearing event because “he will use it when swearing as first Vice President on November 5.” Under the government of national unity, Zanzibar will have a president at the top and two vice presidents from the two parties of CUF and CCM.

He called on the people not to fear the presence of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces in the Isles because they would respect the people’s decision after the election.

He said the presence of the forces in Zanzibar was constitutional and it was not established for the purpose of safeguarding CCM and when the people make decisions it must respect them.

Zanzibaris hails Karume's performance

ZANZIBAR President Amani Abeid Karume and his wife have been awarded 'shields' in recognition of their contributions to development which include good leadership, peace and political reconciliation.

The first golden award dubbed shield of peace was presented to Mr Karume by retired president Ali Hassan Mwinyi, while former first lady Siti Mwinyi awarded First Lady Shadya Karume, at a colourful function held at the State House.

"This is just a small award from Zanzibaris in recognition for your memorable contributions to the islands. We will always remember you," said Mr Abdallah Mwinyi Khamis, the Urban-West Regional Commissioner.

The function was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Saidi Mwema and CUF Zanzibar presidential Candidate, Mr Seif Sharif Hamad.

Mr Karume thanked Zanzibaris for the award, saying "If I were asked about spending the 65.2m/- I would suggest a larger amount to be given to the orphans. But since you have already bought the awards, I thank you very much."

He said the building of a peaceful Zanzibar involved many other people.

Both Mr Mwema and Mr Hamad were given certificates of appreciation for their financial contribution to the Zanzibar president's award.

Others who received certificates of appreciation include Mr Saleh Feruz (CCM deputy Secretary General-Zanzibar) and the CCM Zanzibar Presidential candidate, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein who was however, absent at the function.

Ministries, institutions and prominent business people on the islands, including Mohamed Raza, Salum Turkey and ministers; Haroun Ali Suleiman and Mahmoud Thabit Kombo appeared on the list of people who contributed about 65.2m/- spent on the golden awards.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho, also praised Karume for a job well done in maintaining peace and stability, developing infrastructure and social services.

He appealed for the next government to follow Karume's administration footsteps.

According to Dr Omar Shrjak, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports, the wards were made by a local artist named Mohamed Hassan who runs a jewelry shop. Some 3.1m/- was given to the orphans.

"The people recognize your contribution and that of First Lady Shadya Karume, who has worked hard to improve health services and youth development," he said.

Verses from the Koran cited by Sheikh Fadhili Soraga from Mufti's Office, poems, music from nursery school children and special taarab from Culture Musical club, cloured the function also attended by members of the Diplomatic corps

'Fernando will come good'

Pepe Reina has backed Fernando Torres to get back to his best in the not too distant future and believes Liverpool's season will soon take a turn for the better.

Roy Hodgson is hoping his number nine can recover from an adductor strain in order to take his place in Sunday's Merseyside derby, and Reina insists the team has confidence that a return to winning ways is imminent.

"Fernando is one of the best strikers in the world," said Reina.

"As soon as he is fit once again, and he's working on that, he will be shining once again for us.

"The team is good enough to start winning games. It's a difficult situation but we have to stick together and work hard to turn it around."

Chelsea defender Alex ruled out for three weeks

Chelsea defender Alex is facing about three weeks out of action after picking up a thigh injury in the final stages of Sunday's 2-0 win over Arsenal.

he 28-year-old, who scored a spectacular 85th-minute free-kick, managed to complete the match.

But the Brazilian has withdrawn from his country's matches against Iran on Thursday and Ukraine on Monday.

He is also likely to be absent for Chelsea's visits to Aston Villa and Spartak Moscow on 16 and 19 October.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2007, the centre-back has become manager Carlo Ancelotti's first-choice partner for John Terry at the heart of Chelsea's defence.

So far this season he has played every league game as the champions have begun their title defence in impressively miserly form - conceding only two goals in seven games.