DAR ES SALAAM: THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the Permanent Voters’ Registration (PVR) in Dar es Salaam by two days, Monday and Tuesday, following an overwhelming turnout during the initial week.
INEC Chairperson, Judge Jacobs Mwambegele, said in a statement yesterday the extension has been made to accommodate citizens unable to register during the first seven days, which concluded on Sunday.
“In response to the high demand, I would like to inform all citizens in Dar es Salaam that the electoral commission has added two extra days March 24 and 25, 2025 (Monday and Tuesday) for the completion of the Permanent Voters’ Registration,” Judge Mwambegele said.
He added that the exercise would conclude at 6:00 pm tomorrow, stressing that no further extensions would be granted after these two days.
Judge Mwambegele noted that citizens in Dar es Salaam had been turning out in large numbers since the registration began last Monday. In response to the high turnout, the commission increased the number of biometric machines and staff in areas with the largest crowds.
“This intervention helped ensure the registration process ran smoothly, reducing congestion and allowing citizens to be served promptly,” he explained.
Furthermore, Judge Mwambegele commended Dar es Salaam residents for their active participation in the registration process noting that many citizens had registered for new voting identification cards and upgraded their PVR information due to lost or damaged cards.
He reminded citizens that the upgrade exercise does not involve renewing voter identification cards issued during the 2015 and 2020 general elections. These cards remain valid in accordance with the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors’ Elections Act, Section 168.
As such, he clarified that eligible citizens whose cards are still valid and who have not changed wards or district councils do not need to participate in this updating exercise.
In related news, Judge Mwambegele warned that double registration or over-registration would be penalised, including imprisonment, fines, or both, as outlined in the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors’ Elections Act, Section 114(1).
“Any individual found guilty of double registration will face a fine ranging from 100,000/- to 300,000/- , imprisonment for a period of six months to two years, or both a fine and imprisonment,” he stated.
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He urged all election stakeholders, including citizens, to cooperate and ensure that PVR updates are carried out only for authorised individuals.
So far, INEC has successfully completed PVR upgrades in 30 regions. According to the registration timetable, the exercise is now in its 13th round, which marks the final phase for Dar es Salaam.
