67 EAC observers jet in to monitor, assess the General Elections

DAR ES SALAAM: THE East African Community (EAC) has officially launched an Election Observation Mission comprising 67 experts from all member states of the Community. The mission’s mandate is to monitor and assess Tanzania’s General Election, scheduled to take place on October 29, 2025.

The mission will be led by Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe, who served as Vice President of Uganda from 1994 to 2003. Dr. Kazibwe is recognized as the first woman in Africa to hold the position of Vice President in an independent nation and is also a specialist surgeon.

The launch ceremony was held in Dar es Salaam, following an invitation from the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, in line with directives from the EAC Council of Ministers, which require the Secretariat to participate in observing elections in member states.

Speaking during the launch, Dr. Kazibwe said the main role of the mission is to evaluate the electoral process in accordance with national laws, EAC guidelines on election observation and assessment, and international standards related to free and fair elections.

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“The East African Community believes that free and fair elections are a cornerstone of democracy and regional cooperation. The EAC is founded on principles of good governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights,” said Dr. Kazibwe.

For her part, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva stated that the mission will issue a preliminary report shortly after the election, followed by a comprehensive final report that will present the observation findings and recommendations for improving future elections.

Nduva added that the observers will engage with election stakeholders, monitor the final campaign period, and witness voting, vote counting, and results announcement processes.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Mission, Maina Karobia, who is also a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), emphasized that the observers’ role is not to interfere in the election, but to monitor and report with transparency and integrity.

“The mission will ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, transparent, and credible. We will also conduct our work in close cooperation with citizens,” said Karobia.

The establishment of this mission is grounded in Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty, which obligates member states to uphold the principles of good governance, including democracy, accountability, transparency, gender equality, and the protection of human rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.