RUVUMA: OFFICIALS involved in updating the Permanent Voter Register (PVR) in Ruvuma Region have been urged to mobilise eligible citizens to ensure they exercise their constitutional rights by updating their personal details and participate in the general election later this year.
A member of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr Zakia Mohamed Abubakar said recently through a speech read on her behalf by the Assistant Director of the Department of Voter Education and Information, Dr Rose Likangaga that there is need for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights and INEC officials have the responsibility to sensitise the public.
Dr Likangaga was speaking during the closing of a two-day training session for the officials in Ruvuma.
“You are encouraged to mobilise eligible citizens to register and exercise their constitutional right, enabling them to participate in electing their leaders,” she said.
Dr Likangaga said the Commission expects that once the exercise is completed, those who receive voter identification cards will be legitimate voters. She further said that the responsibility of mobilisation rests directly with the officials in collaboration with other stakeholders in their areas by using the resources at their disposal.
“I insist that the posters and brochures provided by the Commission should be distributed promptly to all wards within your councils.
Your primary role is to oversee and manage all improvement activities within your councils,” she emphasised.
The officials were advised to carefully study the 1977 Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, Election Laws, Regulations, directives and all guidelines issued by the Commission to ensure their work is conducted with integrity and fairness.
They were also urged to communicate with the Commission for clarification on all matters related to their duties whenever they encounter challenges.
“The Commission has fulfilled its role in providing training and you now have the responsibility to ensure that you fully implement all the duties entrusted to you,” the speech added.
The Commission also urged the officials to be meticulous in the distribution and safekeeping of materials and to adhere to the correct opening and closing times of voter registration centres.
The update of the Permanent Voter Register is scheduled to take place from January 12 to 18, this year in the regions of Songwe, Njombe, Rukwa and Ruvuma, covering Nyasa District Council, Mbinga District, Mbinga Town, Songea District and Songea Municipality.
The centres will open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The training involved registration officers, assistant registration officers at the constituency level, election officers, procurement officers and ICT officers from the councils.
