Dar es Salaam, June 3 -- IN a rare and refreshing show of political maturity, some 14 political parties have demonstrated that when it matters most, patriotism can trump partisanship.

By throwing their hats into the ring for this years General Elections, these parties have affirmed a truth we often forget in the heat of political competition: Democracy only works when everyone participates.

Let us take a moment to applaud this courage and commitment. These parties, diverse in ideology, vision and constituency, have chosen dialogue over detachment, engagement over apathy.

In doing so, they have reminded the nation that elections are not about who shouts the loudest or who throws the sharpest insult, but about who presents the best ideas...