THE opposition ACT Wazalendo national chairman Othman Masoud Othman has said that people who claim that political changes cannot take place in Zanzibar through the ballot contradict provisions of the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984.

Othman made the remarks yesterday while opening a youth conference at Ziwani Constituency Hall in Chake Chake, Pemba South Region.

He noted that after the revolution in 1964, the isles were governed by laws and enforced by the Revolutionary Council until the late Second President Aboud Jumbe Mwinyi decided in 1979 that Zanzibar should draft its own constitution to strengthen the foundations of democracy and good governance.

 “So when someone says we will not hand over leadership based on a piece of paper, it implies that those in power wish to remain endlessly. Ask them which country they refer to and which revolution they purport to defend,” he said.

He emphasised that according to the 1984 constitution, the Zanzibar Revolution must be advanced through procedures outlined within the constitution with one key principle being that people have the right to choose and be chosen.

Addressing the issue of public funds, Othman said that Zanzibar cannot achieve developmental progress if it is burdened with substantial debts that exceed its income from local sources.

He mentioned that Zanzibar’s current budget stands at 1.5trn/- while salaries cost 900bn/- with an additional 300bn/- allocated for debt repayment.

He added that for Zanzibar to achieve developmental progress, it is essential to establish laws that respect citizenry.

He stated that the government should not engage in business but instead focus on managing policies and plans for the benefit of its citizens; if the government engages in business, it will reach a point where effective governance becomes impossible.

Othman, who is also the First Vice President of Zanzibar and a seasoned legal expert, said that if the government wishes to conduct business, it must obtain a licence rather than operate clandestinely.

Yusra Haji Kombo, a member of the central committee of the party, stated that governance changes in Zanzibar heavily depend on the significant role of the youth and reminded others of the importance of obtaining Zanzibar resident identification cards to complete the requirements for registration in the permanent voters' roll.