AfricaPress-Tanzania: MWANZA Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Mongella cast his vote at Kiseke-PPF polling station at around 7.00 am on Wednesday, urging Mwanza residents to continue maintaining peace and tranquility.
He also urged the residents to continue observing election rules and regulations, including the rule which requires them to vote and leave the polling stations and wait for results at their respective homes.
“Residents here have turned out in large numbers to vote, and the security situation in our region is calm and well maintained, let me appeal to those who are still home to visit their voting stations and elect the leaders they want,” he said.
Mr Mongela said people with special needs such as the disabled, pregnant women, and the elderly were given special priority to vote according to electoral procedures.
He urged the residents to continue upholding national values of unity, peace, and solidarity for the benefit of the region and the nation as a whole.
On her part, Nyamagana District Commissioner, Dr. Philis Nyimbi who cast her vote at Isamilo polling station told the Daily News that she witnessed a large turnout of residents in the voting exercise.
“The residents have turned out in large numbers to vote, and the situation is calm as we speak,” she said.
Ukerewe District Commissioner, Mr. Colnel Maghembe said over the phone from Nansio town that residents have turned out in large numbers as early as 6.00 am to cast their votes.
“We have given priority to people with disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick to vote,” he said.
Responding to transport challenges in the 38 islands in his district, the DC said the government is using four fiber police boats to ensure the voting process ends peacefully and calmly.
On his part, Misungwi District Commissioner (DC), Mr. Juma Sweda told the Daily News over the phone from Misungwi town that many people were motivated and turned out in large numbers to vote compared to the previous years, insisting that priority to vote was given to people with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women.
“I believe the voting process will continue peacefully, but if there is a person or persons who try to instigate violence, we will deal with them according to the law,” he said.
Sengerema District Commissioner (DC), Dr. Emmanuel Kipore told the Daily News over the phone from Sengerema town that people turned out in large numbers for the voting exercise, adding that the district formed 12 security teams which surveyed different parts of the district, especially polling stations to maintain peace.
Ilemela District Commissioner (DC), Dr. Severine Mathias Larika said the voting exercise in his district was conducted peacefully, noting that there was strong response from the people who turned out to vote from urban and rural areas.
“As you know, people in the rural areas often go to vote early and return to their production activities, their response was not good compared to urban residents,” he said.
On his part, Ilemela Municipal Director, Mr. John Wanga said he had earlier gone through all the polling stations and witnessed a larger crowd which turned up to vote compared to previous years.
“Peace is well maintained, and I have witnessed a big number of people who went to vote, we have also given priority to people with special needs,” he said.
According to a random survey made by the Daily News in different parts of Mwanza city, a large number of voters turned up in various polling stations to cast their votes.
