Police assure safety as Tanzanians vote

DODOMA: THE Police Force has reassured the public that the country remains fully secure as citizens head to the polls today, insisting that there is no credible threat capable of disrupting the voting process, just as it had previously assured.

According to a statement issued by Police Spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime, there is a group of individuals who after failing to destabilise the country’s peace, have now resorted to producing and circulating misleading videos, images and fabricated reports on social media.

He noted that manipulated materials include old incidents that have already been addressed by authorities and staged content aimed at creating fear and suggesting unrest during this crucial period.

“If you come across such information on social media or in certain other media platforms created by individuals with malicious intentions against our nation’s peace, be aware that it is false, fabricated and intended to divide and incite conflict among us,” read as part of statement.

DCP Misime added that some individuals have already appeared publicly, issuing misleading statements aimed at causing panic.

“They collect incidents that occurred in other countries and edit them by adding Kiswahili voiceovers so they appear to have taken place in Tanzania during this crucial period as we head to the polls tomorrow (today),”DCP Misime added.

The police revealed that the group of people plan to take photos of some leaders and attach falsified statements or audio to make it seem as though those leaders are the ones speaking, while in reality they are not.

He noted that as the Police Force continues to track and apprehend the perpetrators in accordance with the law, it urges citizens to ignore any manipulated videos, fabricated information, leaflets or similar materials that may be sent to them, because they are created with criminal intent to cause public alarm.

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“If you receive such content, do not share it, as doing so is a criminal offence under the Cyber crimes Act. Instead, delete it. Remember that accurate information concerning any matter will only be issued by the authorities responsible for doing so,” the Police Force insisted.

The police call came, barely a day after Regional Commissioners across the country also assured residents that all necessary measures are in place to guarantee a peaceful, safe and well-organised voting process.

Meanwhile, police in Zanzibar have assured citizens that peace and stability will prevail across the islands as the nation heads to the polls today.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Kombo Khamis Kombo said all regional commands have implemented tight security measures to guarantee a calm and safe environment for voters to exercise their democratic rights.

“In cooperation with other security agencies, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), political parties and peace stakeholders, we have put in place strong strategies to prevent any acts of violence or breach of peace during and after the election,” CP Kombo said in a statement.

He stressed that law enforcement officers will maintain order, warning that anyone attempting to incite violence or disrupt the voting process will face legal consequences.

“No individual or group will be allowed to threaten peace. The security of our nation is not a matter of trial and error,” he said.

Regional Commissioner for Urban West, Idris Kitwana, also affirmed that security has been reinforced across all polling areas and called on citizens to participate fully in the election.

In South Pemba, Regional Police Commander Abdalla Hussein Mussa said police have deployed officers across all districts to ensure smooth voting, urging residents not to be intimidated.

“I encourage all eligible voters to go to polling stations confidently. The police are not there to scare anyone, but to protect peace and uphold the law,” he said, adding that anyone attempting to cause chaos will be dealt with according to the law.

South Pemba Regional Commissioner Rashid Hadid Rashid urged voters to remain peaceful before, during, and after the polls, while Mkoani District Commissioner Miza Hassan Faki cautioned youth against being misled into acts of political violence.