Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has announced a two-day extension for district appeal committees to receive, review and issue rulings on appeals related to candidate selections ahead of the November 27th Local Government Election.
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Local Government and Regional Administration, Mohamed Mchengerwa announced in a statement issued on Wednesday that the deadline has been extended from today to tomorrow, with appeals now accepted until 6 PM on the final day.
“The extension follows feedback from various local government election stakeholders, including political parties, who raised concerns about the candidate selection process and the handling of objections.
“This additional time aims to give candidates whose objections were previously denied an opportunity to appeal before the district committees,” Mr Mchengerwa said.
Minister Mchengerwa issued the guidance under Regulation 52 of the Government Notices No 571, 573, 574 and Regulation 50 of Notice No 572, all dated July 12, 2024. These regulations grant the minister authority to provide instructions related to election processes.
He further directed district appeal committees to obtain forms of all disqualified candidates and conduct a thorough review to ensure fairness in line with election laws and regulations.
Additionally, the minister directed election supervisors in all councils to reinstate candidates who were disqualified due to guarantors’ issues, provided their parties submitted sponsorship letters clarifying support at the local level, including ACT-Wazalendo’s sponsorship at the ward level.
“Political parties with disqualified candidates are encouraged to utilise this extended period if dissatisfied with initial decisions, ensuring their appeals reach the relevant district committees,” he said.
Mr Mchengerwa said his office will continue to uphold principles of good governance to ensure citizens have a fair opportunity to elect leaders of their choice.
Minister Mchengerwa expressed gratitude to all election stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the election process and urged both election supervisors and candidates to adhere to the law, ensuring a fair and transparent democratic process.
Some opposition parties complained that their candidates for local government positions were unfairly treated.
The opposition party, CHADEMA stated that it would not accept the disqualification of its candidates, while ACT-Wazalendo claimed to have reports of its candidates being manipulated by election supervisors in various parts of the country.
The ACT Wazalendo reported that approximately 60 per cent of its candidates were disqualified from participating in the election for reasons it claims lack legal and regulatory grounds.
In Tunduru South Constituency, which ACT Wazalendo claims is one of its major strongholds, only 13 candidates were nominated, while 34 were disqualified.
According to the election schedule, November 8 was the nomination day for candidates vying for various leadership positions.
The Ruling Party’s Publicity Secretary, Amos Makalla, called on the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government, which oversees the election, to ensure fairness for all parties, emphasising that CCM does not need any undue advantage.
The election is slated for November 27th this year, some of the positions that will be contested include Village Chairman, Village Council Members (mixed gender group), Village Council Members (women’s group) and Ward Chairpersons in District Councils.
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