People want peaceful, dignified poll process

Local government elections, one of the most important events in the national election calendar, take place today against the backdrop of major developments, including the constitutional process now headed for referendum in April 2015; the upcoming General Election in October; as well as public malaise over the Tegeta Escrow Account scandal and attendant donor community call for action. The hope has been that all this was likely to raise citizen awareness to participate in the civic elections with increased enthusiasm and help make a difference towards bottom-up reform governance. However, official figures on registered voters do not indicate tangible change in the people’s perception of local authorities.

Public apathy towards local elections remains high. The official figure of 11.4 million eligible voters having registered in today’s vote, representing about 62 per cent of the envisaged target of 18.6 million eligible voters, speaks for itself. It is also unclear how many of these registered voters will actually go to the polling stations to vote.

Still, the Tanzanians who managed to register to vote within the limited and often confusing period allowed must be commended for having done a great patriotic duty. We urge them to go early and enthusiastically cast their vote to elect grass-roots leaders who can be trusted to oversee people-centred development.

There is also a lesson for the rest of the eligible voters that are yet to enter their names on the permanent voter register. They must follow the example of those already registered for the local election vote by showing up in big numbers to register in the next National Election Commission (NEC) voter registration update, ahead of the upcoming constitutional referendum and general election.

People’s participation

Meanwhile, we take full note of the role being played by all the registered political parties in fielding candidates for the local elections and conducting last minute campaigns within limits of the law. Blips in such heated political processes are not uncommon, but the people – party followers and the citizenry as whole – only expect civility and dignity to prevail.

We also consider political campaigns, civil society activism, the media and guided state facilitation, can greatly contribute towards minimizing public apathy towards elections. It has been observed that members of the public, including politicians, tend to distance themselves from local level elections, leaning more towards national elections. This must change. Civic education on the very concept of local governance and the democratic right to vote must be given priority.

This boils down to effective citizen participation in governance at the local level as expressly enshrined in the current Constitution 1977, Articles 145 and 146, which underline as one of the objectives of the local government enhancement of the democratic process and applying democracy to facilitate the expeditious and faster development of the people.

The election organizers have put in place all the necessary conditions for a calm and peaceful process throughout the country. It will be conducted under rules and regulations based on the relevant local government legislation. NEC took precautions to consult closely with all concerned – main political parties, civil society, NGOs and the media - to ensure a smooth process.

Indeed, the success of today’s local election process is certain to be replicated in the upcoming national electoral processes, and in particular the constitutional referendum and general election.