DODOMA: TODAY, Tanzanians are voting for local government leaders, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan sending a strong message that every vote counts.
On the eve of election President Samia addressed the nation on the significance of local governments on the nation building and enhancing democratic space.
President Samia, who will lead the process by casting her vote at Chamwino in Dodoma, has declared today a public holiday, to provide opportunity for voters to turn out in their numbers to cast their votes.
President Samia said that local governments play a crucial role in building a strong nation with sustainable development.
“Through the leaders we elect, we establish a foundation for accountability, quality service delivery to citizens and proper management of public resources. This is an opportunity to ensure we build a society characterised by stability, unity and progress,” said President Samia during a televised address to citizens from State House Chamwino, Dodoma.
She further said that this is an opportunity to ensure that decisions affecting communities are based on the real needs of the people.
“Every vote cast holds great significance and will contribute to our goal of building a society of justice, equality and development for all,” she said.
She added, “Elections are both our right and our responsibility. Let us participate with focus and diligence to ensure we elect leaders with competence, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving the people. With your vote, you create change and contribute to a better future for our society. Let us not miss this important opportunity.”
President Samia said it is everyone’s duty to participate fully in the election for the good of the nation.
She said it is a chance to ensure that decisions affecting communities are informed by the actual needs of the people.
“Every vote matters and will help realise our goal of building a society grounded in justice, equality and progress for all.”
The country heads to the polls that is widely considered free and fair due to a combination of legal frameworks, transparency in the process, voter education and judicial oversight.
Indeed, the commitment of the government, electoral bodies and civil society to uphold democratic values ensures that the election process remains credible, inclusive and accountable.
In run up to the elections, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mohamed Mchengerwa, announced that a total of 31,282,331 eligible Tanzanians registered to vote.
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This represents 94.83 per cent of the targeted voters, showing a significant increase compared to the 2019 elections, where 19,681,256 voters were registered, or 86 per cent of the target.
Among the registered voters, 15,236,772 are men (48.71 per cent), while 16,045,559 are women (51.29 per cent), according to Mr Mchengerwa.
He also outlined the positions to be vied for during the elections as 12,280 village chairperson positions, 4,264 street chairperson positions, 63,886 hamlets chairperson positions, 230,834 village council members and 21,320 street committee members.
To ensure that the election process was free and fair, a total of 16,309 candidate appeals were received for various local government positions, of which, 5,589 were accepted.
Regarding political party participation, 18 political parties have fielded candidates for 30,977 positions out of 80,430, representing 38.51 per cent. The ruling party, CCM fielded candidates for all available positions.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango encouraged citizens to actively participate in the local government elections taking place today.
Speaking yesterday to passengers on a flight from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, Dr Mpango urged registered citizens to elect good leaders in this election. Dr Mpango will cast his vote at his home village in Buhigwe in Kigoma.
Speaking to the press yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Chief Government Spokesperson and the Director of Information Services Department, Mr Thobias Makoba urged Tanzanians to turn out and vote in the elections.
He said that electing the right leaders is vital for the country’s continued development.
Mr Makoba also said that, in line with President Samia’s guidance, journalists will be allowed to carry out their duties at the polling stations they visit whilst insisting journalists to follow the necessary guidelines and procedures while covering the elections.
In another development, the Police Force has assured the public of maximum security and safety throughout the entire polling process, saying police officers will be deployed at all polling stations.
The assurance was made in Dodoma yesterday by the force’s Spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime.
“You will see police officers outside the polling stations that will make sure that safety and security are maintained, allowing for a smooth voting process,” said DCP Misime.
He warned that anyone who disrupts the process will face consequences. Citizens were also cautioned not to follow or respond to divisive and provocative statements from politicians that aim to undermine peace.
On his side, Mufti Abubakar Zubeiry bin Ally urged Tanzanians to fully participate in today’s polls.
Sheikh Abubakar stressed the importance of voting, saying that failing to participate on election day would be a mistake that could result in the election of undeserving leaders.
“We urge every one of us to use this day to cast our vote. If you fail to vote, you will have left an important opportunity to elect the right leader,” he said.
