ACT Wazalendo Secretary-General Ado Shaibu.Photo: File
By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga--ACT-Wazalendo has raised alarm bells regarding the voter registration process for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 27, 2024. Speaking at a press conference on October 13, 2024, Secretary-General Ado Shaibu outlined five significant flaws that he believes could compromise the integrity of the elections.
Shaibu criticized the Presidency Office, Regional Administration, and Local Government (PO-RALG) for its inadequate efforts to engage citizens in the registration process.
Despite being allocated a budget of 17.79 billion Tanzanian shillings for electoral activities, PO-RALG has failed to effectively motivate voters, lacking communication strategies like SMS reminders to encourage participation.
He stressed that the absence of these initiatives has left many citizens uninformed and disengaged from the electoral process.
Another point of concern raised by Shaibu was the failure of election officials at polling stations to provide critical information regarding the number of registered voters on registration day.
This lack of transparency hampers agents' ability to ensure that no unauthorized names have been added to the voter rolls after the registration period has officially closed. Shaibu emphasized that this raises suspicions about the possibility of continuing to register ineligible voters.
The issue of registering underage individuals also came to light, with reports indicating that children, particularly school students who have not reached voting age, were being registered at polling stations.
Shaibu cited specific instances in the Ubungo District, particularly in the Luguruni neighborhood of the Kwembe ward, where this practice has been noted.
In addition, Shaibu pointed out the lack of clear directives from (PO-RALG) allowing agents to monitor polling stations throughout the registration period.
This omission has led to the establishment of unauthorized voter registration centers, violating guidelines that dictate registration must occur at designated local community sites.
He referenced the Kilwa District, where the election supervisor allegedly created three unauthorized registration centers in areas lacking permanent populations.
Shaibu called for immediate action from the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government to address these pressing issues.
He argued that without a transparent and fair voter registration process, there can be no credible elections. He expressed that a registration process tainted by irregularities and bias could only lead to flawed elections, which, in turn, would undermine public trust and the democratic process.
The opposition has voiced broader concerns regarding PO-RALG's oversight of local government elections. They have criticized the office for its lack of transparency and have called attention to the perceived integrity issues among its officials, alleging political biases that could skew the electoral process in favor of the ruling party. Furthermore, they have raised alarms over inadequate training for election officials, fearing mismanagement at polling stations could further complicate the electoral process.
Concerns about voter suppression have also emerged, with accusations that PO-RALG's actions could disenfranchise marginalized communities, ultimately suppressing voter turnout. Communication gaps have left citizens uninformed about electoral protocols, leading to apathy toward participation. The opposition has called for independent monitoring of PO-RALG's activities, seeking accountability in how local elections are managed.
Amidst these criticisms, the opposition insists that inconsistent regulations and confusing directives from PO-RALG complicate the registration process, undermining public confidence. As the election date approaches, ACT-Wazalendo and other opposition groups continue to advocate for a transparent electoral process that accurately reflects the will of the people, emphasizing the critical need for reforms to restore faith in the integrity of the upcoming elections.