EDITORIAL: Act now on voter apathy poll process violations

For what is seemingly the umpteenth time, Tanzania conducted by-elections on Sunday, this time in two constituencies and 21 wards. And – for the umpteenth time – the by-elections were marred by what have for all practical purposes become common shortcomings that occur with monotonous regularity.

The shortcomings reduce the electoral processes to bones of contention involving the participating political parties, the organisers, supervisors and administrators, including the police and, occasionally, voters.

Needless to say, there are questions about voter registration, police conduct and freedoms and rights of opposition parties and their supporters.

One of the most recent results of such shortcomings was the shooting dead in a commuter bus of a National Institute of Transport student, Akwilina Akwilini, on February 16.

This happened when the police were attempting to quell street demonstrations on the eve of the February 17 by-elections.

Other major consequence of shortcomings in the electoral processes are the triple woes of voter apathy, voter fatigue and political alienation, resulting in lack of interest, and leading to poor turnout on polling day.

Reportedly, voter apathy and denial of opposition party rights marred Sunday’s by-elections in Monduli (Arusha Region) and Ukonga (Dar es Salaam) parliamentary constituencies, as well as in 21 wards.

Chadema officials complained that “a number of its agents were denied access to some polling stations....” and that “seven Chadema agents were abducted as polling was ongoing in Mswakini Ward…”

All that cannot be good for representative democracy – true or not. The very publicity itself is damaging, alienating voters and Tanzania’s development partners alike. Hence the dire need to thrash out the shortcomings once and for all.