INEC Director of Elections Ramadhani Kailima. Photo: File
By Adonis Byemelwa
Dodoma
–
In a significant move to bolster democratic engagement, the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) will launch a seven-day exercise to update
the Permanent Voter Register in the Mara, Simiyu regions, and select districts
of Manyara.
The exercise, scheduled from September 4th to
10th, 2024, is set to register approximately 491,050 new voters, marking a
crucial step ahead of the 2025 general elections.
INEC's
estimates, grounded in the 2022 Population and Housing Census, project that
3,391,017 voters will be included in the Permanent Voter Register across these
regions by the time the 2025 elections take place. However, this number could
increase as more eligible Tanzanians come forward during the registration
period.
Mr.
Kailima Ramadhan, the Director of Elections at INEC, pointed out that the
figures might surpass expectations. "We anticipate that the numbers could
rise because some Tanzanians, who were eligible during the 2019/20 update, may
not have registered at that time for various reasons," he explained.
To
facilitate this registration drive, 4,373 centers will be deployed across the
regions, ensuring easy access and efficiency in capturing data from new voters
and updating information for those already registered.
This fourth phase of the registration process
continues the momentum initiated by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa when he
launched the exercise in Kigoma on July 20th, 2024. The initial round covered
Kigoma, Katavi, and Tabora regions, followed by Kagera and Geita, and then
Mwanza and Shinyanga.
The
current phase will include Mara, Simiyu, and specific districts in the Manyara
Region—Babati Town Council, Babati, Hanang, and Mbulu District Councils—where
registration centers will operate daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The proactive stance in these areas is
critical for ensuring that all eligible voters are recorded in the electoral
roll, reinforcing the legitimacy and inclusivity of the forthcoming elections.
This
voter registration drive is more than a procedural update; it is a vital effort
to empower citizens and solidify the democratic process in Tanzania.
The
ability to register nearly half a million new voters within a week demonstrates
both the efficiency of INEC and the eagerness of Tanzanians to participate in
shaping the nation’s future.
Eligible
voters are strongly encouraged to seize this opportunity to register or update
their information, ensuring their participation in the critical electoral
decisions ahead. This initiative stands as a testament to the commitment to
democracy and the importance of every voice in the electoral process.