| Polls supervisory organs asked to be vigilant | Send to a friend |
| Tuesday, 31 August 2010 15:54 |
|
As parties and candidates get busy campaigning, there is a need for institutions charged with supervising activities related to the October 31 General Election to be vigilant. Having the elections Code of Conduct alone will not ensure civilised, free and fair polls if the bodies required to administer the process remain noncommittal. Almost every party has blamed a rival party for mischief during the election campaigns. Chadema has even prepared a petition against CCM’s Presidential candidate Jakaya Kikwete. On Saturday, the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) had to suspend a live broadcast of the Chadema rally, alleging that some of those who were addressing the rally, at Jangwani grounds, were using abusive language. While all this is happening, we have not witnessed the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the Registrar of Political Parties’ office and the Police Force taking any action. While arresting of the culprits is an open option, it is important that these bodies react to the public pronouncements in a bid to set the record straight. For instance, there is no need for the NEC to wait for complaints from aggrieved parties or candidates to declare that someone has acted against the Code of Conduct. Though many parties have started launching their manifestos, it is easy to predict, from the campaigns, that personal attacks are going to get ugly after a short while. We know that the campaigns will be a continuation of what we have witnessed in the political arena in the country in the past few years. Accusations and counter accusations touching on a number of mega scandals would be the order of the day. It is time NEC and the registrar took charge of the situation and provided direction to politicians whenever they go astray, instead of waiting for someone to complain. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
Latest News
Most Read
Gallery