Zanzibar — Police in Zanzibar used helicopters yesterday to drop tear gas canisters at angry demonstrators denied registration in the voters' book because they did not have residence identity cards (Zan IDs).

Reports from Isles said the riots erupted at around noon at Tumbatu in Unguja North region where officials from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) were registering voters.

The police move came after an earlier attempt to disperse the group by firing warning shots in the air failed to contain the charged atmosphere.

"Their aim was to disperse the people who surrounded the registration centre to pressure officials to enter their names in the Permanent Voter Register (PVR) even though they didn't have Zanzibar Identity Cards," an eyewitness said.

He said before the helicopters dropped tear gas, police first clashed with the residents who appeared determined to confront authorities. They defied orders to leave the registration centres.

"We suddenly saw a police helicopter hovering above before tear gas canisters started to 'rain' from the sky.That made all the residents run away, he said.

Reports said there was fear and panic as scores of residents who were targeted by the canisters ran for their dear lives. Some were injured in the melee.Under the Zanzibar electoral laws, Zan-ID is a prerequisite for registration in the PVR.

There have been some serious clashes, particularly in Pemba, between the police and residents who have been denied Zan IDs but want to register for the 2010 polls.

The affected people accuse authorities in Zanzibar and ZEC of deliberately planning to deny them their right to take part in next year's general election to clear the way for the ruling CCM victory. Zec has denied the allegations.

As bombs were being poured from helicopter in Tumbatu, the situation was reportedly tense at Kichangani village after people believed to be CCM and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) zealots clashed using stones and traditional weapons.

Reports say the fights emerged after CUF supporters attempted to block CCM members from registering at the centre.

"It is not that we do not want them to be registered but why only them who have been given the IDs? Another resident asked, adding, "All of us and our children have not been issued with Zan IDs. Are we not Zanzibaris," said the resident who identified himself by one name, Ame.

However, Unguja North regional police commander, Mr Msellem Masoud Mtulya denied that the canisters were dropped from a helicopter.

He said the chopper only happened to fly past as policemen lobbed tear gas cannisters at the rowdy crowd.

ZEC director, Mr Salum Kassim declined to comment on the matter on the grounds that yesterday was a public holiday.

Reports coming as we went to press said ZEC was forced to close the Jongowe registration centre due to a boycott by the people.

From Wete Pemba, Salma Said reports that ZEC has said it was not satisfied with the pace of voter registration. A statement issued yesterday said the registration of voters in North Unguja and North Pemba was far below target.

Since the resumption of the registration on September 12, the exercise has not been smooth because of clashes between police and residents who don't have Zan IDs.

Northern Pemba regional police commander, Mr Yahya Rashid Bugi said the security situation had improved and clashes between police and the people decreased.