Electorate votes will count, promises NEC

BabuK · 2015-09-30T10:18:37+00:00

NEC Chairman Judge (rtd) Damian Lubuva The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has promised Tanzanians fair, transparent and free elections, downplaying concerns by some quarters that the results of the October poll might be tinkered with. Responding to questions raised by journalists during a meeting with representatives of people living with disabilities in Dar es Salaam yesterday, NEC Chairman Judge (rtd) Damian Lubuva urged the electorate to have faith in the institution, saying their votes will count as no individual or institution can steer it away from the will of the people. "Tanzanians shouldn't worry about our ability to handle this year's elections. There is no candidate or any political party that will be favoured," he said and vowed that no one would be treated unfairly either. Justice Lubuva was responding to a specific question by journalists over recent replacement of key staff within the Commission which was viewed by some people as a strategic step to put "right people at the right place and at the right time" with a view to influence the results. He was questioned specifically about the replacement of the Commission's Director for Information and Communication Technology as an example of potential rigging plot. "That was purely NEC administrative matter and has got nothing whatsoever to do with politics or the coming General Election," he said: "I urge Tanzanians not to interfere with administrative matters within the NEC. They should let us do our work." The Commission's integrity is not anyhow in question because it was manned by a team of professionals driven by the urge to serve Tanzanians with the view to ensuring that their democratic rights and aspirations are safeguarded instead of being violated, Lubuva said. Earlier, during the session, the acting Director of Elections, Emanuel Kawishe stressed that the primary responsibility of the Commission was to ensure that every eligible adult citizen, including persons with disability participate on the elections. "We are here to ensure that all eligible Tanzanians exercise their constitutional right by taking part in the coming polls," he told the representatives and added: "The Commission will ensure that people with special needs are accorded due assistance and priority on the voting day." He further revealed that there will be a new technological device called ‘Tactile Ballot Folder' which enables blind persons to vote themselves without assistance from a third party with the aim of observing secrecy during the exercise. "The technology has been acquired by the Commission in collaboration with stakeholders of democracy and development partners," he said. "The Commission and representatives of people living with disabilities have mutually agreed to use the technology so as to allow voters with blindness to exercise their democratic right in a different way this time around," he said. In its preparations to efficiently and effectively conduct the General Election this year, NEC has been meeting with different stakeholders to address issues and exchange ideas with the aim of making necessary improvements and adjustments so that no voter is left out come October 25. Source: The Guardian

Thread starter BabuK
Start date Sep 30, 2015

BabuK

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Electorate votes will count, promises NEC

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