INEC provides voter education to OCDs ahead of 2025 General Election
KILIMANJARO: IN an effort to equip various groups within the community with voter education, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun providing the training to the Officers Commanding District (OCDs) across the country.
The training aims to enable them to understand their roles in electoral activities ahead of next year’s general election, where eligible Tanzanians will choose the President, Members of Parliament and Ward Councilors.
Currently, the country is preparing for Local Government Election which will be held on November 27 this year.
Speaking after the training which focused on various laws and regulations governing the commission, INEC Director of Election, Mr Ramadhani Kailima, said that the education given to police officers at the district-level will help to avoid frictions between them and political parties. The training was held at the Police Training School in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.
“Essentially, these officers are the law enforcers at the district level from the Police Force. Therefore, we have briefed them on laws governing the commission such as election of the President, Members of Parliament and Councilors, to enable them to interpret the laws effectively and manage their duties without causing disputes between political parties and the general public,” said Mr Kailima.
Mr Kailima noted that the police officers now understand their responsibilities and what political parties are required to do during this period, as the commission continues its exercise of updating the Permanent Voter Register across the country.
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Furthermore, he noted that the commission will meet again with the Police Force as the country heads to the General Election in 2025 to provide clarification on various issues related to the exercise to ensure that the election remains peaceful, free and fair and that stability is maintained after election.
The Commissioner for Operations and Training of the Police Force, CP Awadhi Juma Haji, said that the purpose of the training is to prepare the Police Force for the electoral process, emphasizing their role as law enforcers and protectors of citizens and their property at all times.
CP Awadhi said that the commission has educated them on the role of the police in electoral activities, laws and various regulations as the commission continues with updating on the Permanent Voter’s Register with the aim of ensuring that ongoing activities across the country are conducted in a secure environment.
The four-day training for District Police Commissioners, which began on November 4, 2024, was conclude yesterday, covering various topics related to elections and the involvement of the police force.
