Election preps in top gear
DODOMA: THE government has completed some of the tasks as part of the preparations for the Local Government Election slated for November 27 this year.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa informed the National Assembly yesterday, while adjourning the 16th meeting of the 12th Parliament that the completed tasks include preparing regulations for the election of local government leaders at the village, hamlet and street levels within district and township authorities.
Other works which have been completed are development of the civic education and local Government election guidelines.
Majaliwa noted that, other works are at various stages of completion which include announcing the list of administrative areas, second phase of polling station verification and the procurement of election materials.
“Currently, the relevant authorities are continuing to provide civic education through media, billboards and social networks,” he said.
He said since the country’s development foundation begins at the local government level, the Premier urged Members of Parliament to use their meetings while in their constituencies, as well as artists and the media to encourage the public to participate in the upcoming Local Government Election.
Majaliwa called upon all Tanzanians to be prepared to exercise their constitutional right by ensuring full participation in the 2024 Local Government Election Regarding preparations for the 2025 General Election, he said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is proceeding with updating of the Permanent Voters’ Register as part of the crucial exercise.
He said, according to the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act 2024, the updating of the PVR is being implemented in two phases between the completion of one general election and one day before the nomination of candidates for the next general election.
He said that on July 20 this year the first phase of updating PVR was launched in Kigoma Region and the exercise was also conducted in two other regions of Tabora and Katavi.
Majaliwa said that so far, the commission has completed the PVR updating in seven regions including Kigoma, Tabora, Katavi, Kagera, Geita, Mwanza and Shinyanga.
He added that from September 4 to 10, this year, the updating of the PVR is continuing in Mara and Simiyu regions and parts of Manyara region specifically in Babati, Hanang’ and Mbulu District Councils as well as Babati Township.
The PM noted that the exercise will proceed in other regions as planned.
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He said, according to the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act 2024, the exercise of updating PVR involves all Tanzanians who are eligible to be registered aged 18 and above and those who will be 18 years during the 2025 General Election.
“The updating of the register provides an opportunity for registered voters whose cards have been lost or dam aged, as well as those who have moved from one electoral area to another or need to update their information,” he said.
The PM noted that the updating of PVR does not involve changing voter IDs with the name “National Electoral Commission” to obtain cards labeled “Independent National Electoral Commission.
Majaliwa assured all citizens who were registered in 2015 and 2019/2020 that their voter cards are valid according to Section 168 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act 2024, and will be used in the 2025 General Election for the President, Members of Parliament, and councilors.
