IOC orders TOC to hold general election next month
Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) Vice President Henry Tandau (left) speaks on the committee’s upcoming general election, scheduled for next month. With him are TOC President Gulam Rashid (second right) and Executive Committee member Noorlain Shariff. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The elections were originally scheduled for December last year but were suspended due to constitutional complaints raised within the country.
Dar es Salaam. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has instructed the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) to hold its general elections in September.
The elections were originally scheduled for December last year but were suspended due to constitutional complaints raised within the country.
Following this confusion, the electoral process was halted, and candidates who had paid fees for nomination forms were reimbursed.
TOC President Gulam Rashid confirmed that they have received a letter from the IOC directing them to conduct general elections in accordance with the constitution approved by the international committee. Rashid stated that the IOC has requested that the elections be held within September to elect new executive committee leaders, as the terms of the current officeholders have now constitutionally expired.
“The letter instructs the TOC Executive Committee to announce the elections and for the Electoral Commission to proceed with the process,” he said. Explaining the election process, Gulam added that the official announcement will be made soon, allowing the Electoral Commission to begin the nomination, submission, and refund of forms, as well as other election procedures.
Commonwealth Games Baton Ceremony
In a related development, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has commended TOC for successfully organizing the Queen’s Baton Relay ceremony. The baton, which marks the beginning of the new Commonwealth Games season, was run through the country and received at the State House in Dar es Salaam as well as at Filbert Bayi School.
Explaining why the baton was taken to Filbert Bayi School, TOC Vice-Chairman Henry Tandau said it was in recognition of the respect and records the athlete brought to the country during the Commonwealth Games.
“He was the first Tanzanian to win a gold medal in those games and also broke a world record. Not only that, his record remained unbeaten in the Commonwealth Games for 48 years. Such a long-standing record had never happened before, except for Bayi’s achievement, which makes it worthy of this honor,” said Tandau.
He added that the CGF, the organizers of the games, have congratulated Tanzania for efficiently organizing the Queen’s Baton Relay ceremony.
