Electoral officers urged to uphold confidentiality

ZANZIBAR: ELECTORAL officials appointed to oversee the 2025 presidential, parliamentary and ward-level elections have been strongly reminded to uphold their oath of secrecy and exercise caution in the use of social media during the entire electoral process.

The call was made over the weekend by the Vice Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Mbarouk Salim Mbarouk, during the closing ceremony of a threeday training workshop held at the Police Ziwani Hall in Zanzibar.

The training brought together election coordinators, officers from correctional centres (prisons), constituency-level returning officers and their deputies.

Mr Mbarouk warned that any breach of the oath, especially through unauthorised disclosure of confidential information, would be considered a violation of the law and attract disciplinary measures.

He specifically highlighted the risks associated with the careless use of WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

“During this sensitive period, I urge you to limit your participation in such groups to avoid accidentally posting sensitive information that should not be shared,” he cautioned.

The INEC Vice Chairperson reminded the officers of their legal responsibilities, including verifying the legitimacy of institutions providing voter education or undertaking election observation.

He stressed the need for field officers to remain alert in their constituencies and to promptly report any irregularities to INEC.

“The role of election observers is clearly defined in the 2025 guidelines,” Mr Mbarouk stated, adding, “It should not be interpreted otherwise.”

He made it clear that election officials must not accompany observers or civil society representatives during field visits, particularly in locations where access permission has not been granted.

Institutions involved in election observation, he said, must adhere strictly to electoral laws and national regulations.

Mr Mbarouk noted that the 2025 elections would be conducted under two new legal frameworks: the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillor Elections Act No. 1 of 2024 and the Independent National Electoral Commission Act No. 2 of 2024.

These laws have introduced several new responsibilities, including managing requests from voters who wish to cast their presidential ballots outside their registered polling stations.

“You have a major task ahead,” he told the officers, including training polling station officials and ensuring that the entire electoral process is carried out with professionalism and transparency.”

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He urged the officers to practically implement the knowledge gained from the training when overseeing election-related activities, such as managing polling centres, coordinating political party nominations, preparing campaign schedules, and handling any ethical complaints that may arise during the election period.

“Part of your job,” he emphasised, “is to ensure that campaign posters, public notices, candidate lists, and other electoral materials are displayed in accordance with the official election calendar to avoid breaching regulations.”

Mr Mbarouk praised the training facilitators for delivering the sessions with clarity and professionalism.

He acknowledged the interactive format of the sessions, which enabled participants to ask questions and fully understand their responsibilities in the electoral process.

INEC Director for Zanzibar, Mr Adam Juma Mkina, expressed confidence in the capacity of the trained officers to execute their duties effectively.

“We expect you to pass on this knowledge to those working under your supervision,” he said.

Assistant Returning Officer for Mwanakwerekwe Constituency, Mr Mohammed Salim Hamad, pledged to implement all the guidelines provided by INEC and to remain committed to the oath of confidentiality throughout the electoral exercise.

Ms Latifa Gharib Mgeni, Assistant Electoral Officer for Kiembesamaki Constituency, echoed the sentiment, expressing her readiness to apply the knowledge acquired and guide polling station staff in line with electoral laws and procedures.

INEC is responsible for overseeing presidential and parliamentary elections under the United Republic of Tanzania, while the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) supervises elections for councillors, members of the House of Representatives, and the President of Zanzibar.