TANZANIA: ANALYSTS have lauded the just-concluded Local Government Election for being peaceful, democratic and seeing a significant turnout of eligible voters exercising their constitutional right to vote.
Their comments followed Wednesday’s election, which saw all political parties field candidates for village, hamlet and street chairperson positions.
Political analyst Dr Ahmad Sovu, based at the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, praised all parties for participating in the election, unlike previous elections where some parties withdrew.
He noted, “The positive aspect of this election was the participation of all political parties, which made the campaigns interesting as each candidate brought forward new ideas.” Dr Sovu added that the campaign process focused on constructive politics, emphasising the capacity to argue and promote development policies, rather than resorting to hate speech.
Regarding voter turnout, he observed that many people participated in the election, although there were a few isolated incidents where the process was delayed.
He urged the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) to ensure that remote areas are supplied with voting equipment on time in future elections.
Public administration expert Dr Adamu Mnyavanu, a lecturer at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), echoed the same sentiments, stating that the election was peaceful nationwide and reflected an improvement in the country’s democratic practices.
He stressed the importance of all parties preparing effectively by nominating credible candidates and adhering to electoral laws, highlighting that there should be no room for political parties to seek sympathy due to a lack of strategic planning.
Dr Mnyavanu pointed out that while ruling party CCM fielded candidates across the country, other parties such as CHADEMA and CUF failed to do so.
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Meanwhile, regional and district commissioners, commended the high level of citizen participation in the elections. Kagera Regional Commissioner, Ms Fatma Mwassa said that the voting process in the eight councils of Muleba, Biharamulo, Bukoba Municipality, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba District Council was peaceful.
Coast Regional Commissioner, Aboubakar Kunenge praised the government for preparing and facilitating the election process nationwide.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu expressed satisfaction with the voter turnout, while Arusha RC Paul Makonda emphasised the importance of voting in forming a government that reflects the people’s desires.
“Leadership acquisition through democratic means is achieved by voting,” he said after casting his vote in Arusha.
He also said that local government is the foundation of the central government, where citizens can voice concerns about the development of their areas.
In Longido Constituency in Arusha, 79,768 registered voters turned out in large numbers to elect village and hamlet leaders, with Longido District Election Supervisor and District Executive Director Mr Nassoro Senzigwa attributing the high turnout to voter education provided across the constituency, which includes 18 wards, 51 villages and 176 hamlets.
Mr Senzigwa noted that CCM had candidates in all villages and hamlets, CHADEMA had candidates in Namanga ‘A’ Village and six hamlets in Namanga Ward, while ACT Wazalendo Party had one candidate in Longido Town.
“The situation is calm and people have turned out in large numbers at the 222 polling stations in Longido,” he said, adding that he was monitoring the process in border areas.
Longido District Commissioner Mr Salumu Kalli also praised the voter turnout despite the constituency’s geographical challenges. In Mtwara, the election was marked by peace and harmony as residents came out to vote for their local leaders.
A survey by ‘Daily News’ in Mtwara Mikindani District Council found that many voters arrived early and the process remained peaceful. Businesswoman Fatuma Omary commended the regional government and security forces for ensuring a secure and peaceful environment during the elections.
Mtwara Regional Police Commander Mr Issa Sulaiman confirmed that there had been no reported incidents of violence or threats during the voting process.
