DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is today expected to launch the voter registration exercise for the forthcoming Local Government Election at Chamwino Village in Dodoma Region. All eligible Tanzanians are expected to participate in the crucial democratic exercise slated for November 27 this year.
Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule and Chief Government Spokesperson, Thobias Makoba have stressed the importance of all Tanzanians to actively participate in the process by registering in their respective areas.
“As you have heard, the voter registration exercise begins today October 11 and runs until October 20, this year, providing ten days for all eligible Tanzanians to register so that they can participate in voting,” Ms. Senyamule said yesterday during the launch of the mobile class for voter education for the local government election at the Machinga Complex Market in Dodoma Capital.
The RC added: “Dodoma is lucky, as President Samia will be registering here. If the Head of State is registering in Dodoma, those who will see her on television will be encouraged to register in their respective areas. We, who have the privilege of witnessing her registration, should support her by registering ourselves, thereby giving our region and our President the respect they deserve,” she said.
She commended President Samia for her ongoing efforts to strengthen democracy in the country, including the local government election which is part of the fulfillment of civic obligations stipulated in the country’s Constitution.
Ms Senyamule expressed her desire for every citizen to receive accurate voter education so that they do not miss the opportunity to register or vote.
The RC commended the leaders of the Dodoma City for their innovation and creativity in designing the mobile voter education platform to ensure that more residents in the region are reached, encouraging them to turn up in large numbers and participate in voting.
Ms Senyamule called on the city leadership to ensure that the vehicle provides equitable access to education by routing in all areas of the region.
She further urged the Dodoma residents to seize the opportunity to fulfilling their democratic duty by registering and also participating in the voting process to elect leaders of their choice.
Ms Senyamule reassured the people of Dodoma that the registration process would be swift and would not take long, as the Office of the President (Regional and Local Government Authorities -PO-RALG) has set up numerous centres for the residents to register.
Moreover, she called on public servants, those in the private sector and self-employed individuals, including businesspeople, to come out and register despite their busy schedules, as it is a crucial democratic responsibility that occurs once in every five years.
She encouraged leaders in various community groups to continue providing education and motivating people to register.
On his part, Mr Makoba called upon all leaders at various levels including central and local governments, institutions, workers and communication officers to continue sensitising Tanzanians so that they can register in the given period. He noted that it is important for the public to differentiate registration for the local government election and updating of the Permanent Voter’s Register (PVR).
“There has been some confusion between the registration for the local government election, which begins tomorrow, October 11 and runs until October 20 this year and the updating of the Permanent Voter Register (PVR) for the General Election.
He said the country is heading towards local government election slated for November 27 and the General Election which will be held next year, thus we expect the media to assist in this area by informing the public through the content that aligns with values, guidelines and traditions of Tanzanians.
“We have a responsibility to educate the public and play the role of providing civic education to Tanzanians so that they can understand their rights and responsibilities so that, in the end those who want to participate in elections or development activities, can be fully informed on what exactly they are doing,” he said.
