The National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Tanzania Police Force have called on voters to leave the polling stations soon after casting their votes on Election Day on October 25.
Making the call in Dar es Salaam, NEC Chairman Judge (retired) Damian Lubuva said there is no need for the people to worry as political parties will be represented by agents who will be involved in the entire process.
“We’ll have agents from all political parties who will attend to all process that will be involved, starting from voting, counting, checking and cross-checking and finally announcing them at the polling stations,” he said.
“Voters should follow instructions by the commission and refuse to be dictated to by politicians,’’ the NEC chairman said, adding that their basic duty was to vote for their suitable candidates and leave other tasks to the commission.
Justice Lubuva was officiating at a meeting with returning officers from all constituencies in the country and the police force meant to share ideas to ensure the election is held in a peaceful manner.
He said security during voting day will be maintained by the police force, which has all time legal responsibility to maintain peace countrywide. The NEC chief also urged the returning officers to observe professionalism, objectivity and fairness while supervising the elections at their respective assigned centres, saying that any mistake may plunge the country into chaos.
“You have to be ethical; your errors will erode your credibility to the public and probably lead to misunderstandings that might cause political instability at your places,” he insisted.
For his part, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ernest Mangu, urged citizens not to be involved in criminal incidents during voting day and should instead advisably leave the polling stations after casting their votes.
“This is to ensure everyone gets equal opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice. They should not block others to exercise their democratic rights,” said the IGP, adding that the police will be active to ensure that peace and security are maintained.
“Although the law allows them to stay 200 metres from the polling stations after casting their votes, we strongly advise them to go back home and continue with their daily routine instead of remaining near-by,” he stated.
According to him, remaining at polling stations after voting may attract unlawful actions that are strictly prohibited by the country’s laws and the election code of conduct authored by NEC.
The IGP said there was no need for political parties and their supporters to ignore instructions and directives of the electoral body, drawing public attention to the declaration by NEC on fair, open and legally binding election.
Culled from Daily News
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