By Alfred Zacharia
Dar es Salaam. The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has called for enhanced collaboration among officials
involved in the Permanent Voters Register update in the Tabora and Katavi regions.
This appeal was made by the Chairman of INEC,
Justice (Appeal) Jacobs Mwambegele, during the opening of a two-day training
session for regional registration coordinators, registration officers,
assistant registration officers at the constituency level, election officers,
supply officers, and IT officers from various councils in the Tabora region.
The training, which began on July 9 and will
run until July 10, 2024, aims to prepare these officials for the upcoming voter
register update scheduled for July 20 to 26, 2024.
A parallel training session was also
inaugurated in the Katavi region by a member of INEC, who is also a High Court
Judge, Hon. Asina Omari. These training sessions are part of the preparatory
efforts for the voter register update in these regions.
"Successful outcomes of this
exercise depend on strong cooperation among all involved parties, including
government officials, political parties, and other election stakeholders,"
stated Justice Mwambegele. He urged the officials to maintain close and
effective communication with the Commission throughout their duties and to seek
clarification or guidance whenever necessary.
Justice Mwambegele also emphasized
that political party agents would be allowed at voter registration centers
during the update process to enhance transparency. "These agents will help
identify applicants from their respective areas, thereby reducing unnecessary
disruptions. However, they are not permitted to interfere with the officials'
duties at the centers," he said.
The Commission has granted permits to
157 civil society organizations to provide voter education, and 33 observers
have been approved to monitor the update process. Justice Mwambegele
underscored the importance of these efforts, stating that registration officers
should be given full cooperation upon arrival in their areas, as they play a
crucial role in the electoral process.
The training sessions focus on form
completion and the use of the Voters Registration System (VRS) to ensure a
unified understanding and efficient use of the system and other voter
registration equipment. "These trainings are designed to equip officials
with the skills needed to train assistant registration officers at the ward
level, who will then train Biometric Equipment Operators and Assistant Writers
responsible for voter registration at the centers," explained Justice
Mwambegele.
IT officers will receive specialized
training on troubleshooting technical issues that may arise during the voter
registration process at the centers.
Before the commencement of the
training, participants took oaths of confidentiality and commitment to their
roles. The INEC has announced that the voter register update will be launched
on July 20, 2024, in the Kigoma region, with the Prime Minister of the United
Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa, expected to officiate the event.
The theme for this update is "Registering to Vote is the Foundation of a
Good Election."
This initiative marks a significant
step towards ensuring a transparent and efficient voter registration process,
crucial for the upcoming elections.