This announcement comes on the heels of a High Court decision allowing three citizens to seek a judicial review over the handling of the local government elections. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohamed Mchengerwa, announced on Monday, September 16, 2024, in Arusha the specific boundaries of villages, streets, and hamlets set to participate in the local government elections slated for November 27, 2024. This announcement was formalized through Government Notice No. 769 of 2024, providing clarity for the upcoming polls.
A key highlight of the notice was the reinstatement of villages within the Ngorongoro Division, which had been dissolved under Government Notice No. 673, issued on August 2, 2024. "In these official orders, the total number of areas identified includes 12,333 villages, 4,269 streets, and 64,274 hamlets," Mchengerwa said at a press briefing, emphasizing the importance of reinstating the dissolved areas to guarantee proper administrative representation and access to essential services for residents.
Joined by Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda, Mchengerwa further called upon Tanzanians to register to vote between October 11 and October 20, 2024, urging potential candidates to prepare for the election.
"The President’s Office, PO-RALG, is fully equipped to ensure a free and fair election in line with the 4R principles as championed by the President. This election provides citizens with a crucial opportunity to directly influence the future development of their communities," Mchengerwa stated.
This announcement comes on the heels of a High Court decision allowing three citizens to seek a judicial review over the handling of the local government elections. These citizens argue that election oversight should be transferred from PO-RALG to the Independent National Electoral Commission, raising concerns about transparency and fairness.
The reinstatement of villages in the Ngorongoro area was widely welcomed by various stakeholders, particularly those following developments in the contested region. Maasai community members, whose villages were delisted under the earlier Government Notice No. 673, had been vocal about their grievances, staging protests on August 18, 2024, to demand the restoration of their basic rights and services.
The protests drew attention to the lack of access to critical social services and land rights violations. In response, the government agreed to restore services to the affected residents, ultimately leading to the reinstatement of the villages.
With the election drawing near, there will be increasing scrutiny on how the government handles the reinstated areas and facilitates full voter participation. Ensuring that citizens in these regions can effectively engage in the electoral process will be critical to the success of the upcoming local government elections. The attention will remain on whether the restored administrative areas can swiftly organize for smooth election preparations and foster inclusive representation.