HC Deb 11 June 1959 vol 606 cc1158-9
13. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the franchise in Zanzibar at present is only open to male Zanzibari subjects over 21 years of age born in the island; and whether he will consider extension of the franchise to residents of Zanzibar who have been on the island five years or more.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The franchise in Zanzibar is not confined to persons born in the Protectorate. Naturalised Zanzibar subjects are also eligible for the vote, and one of the conditions for naturalisation is that a person should have resided in Zanzibar for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application and for four of the seven years immediately preceding this period of 11 months.

With regard to the second part of the Question, therefore, a person who had resided for five consecutive years in Zanzibar would be eligible to become a Zanzibar subject and to receive the vote, provided, of course, he qualified in other respects.

Mr. Johnson

Was it not the case that Abeid Karume, who is likely to be the Chief Minister of Zanzibar when the island becomes independent, was objected to at the last election because his father had come from Nyasaland more than forty years ago?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Someone must also be qualified otherwise, as the hon. Gentleman well knows, to become a Zanzibar subject.

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