Tanzania: Arusha Wards By-Election Peaceful

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)
By Veronica Mheta

Arusha — THE by-election for local councillors in four wards of Arusha Municipality went on smoothly yesterday with police maintaining order at all polling stations.

However, a number of shortcomings were reported at some polling stations including incidences where names of voters went missing on the Permanent Voters' Register (PVR). A survey conducted at Elerai, Kaloleni, Kimandolu and Themi wards found out that some people were not able to cast their votes as their names were missing and others had faded photos on the register and thus unable to vote.

A weird incident occurred at Kimandolu Primary School's polling station where one person identified as Maria turned out with what was suspected to be a forged voting card. She was detained by the police. A Returning Officer at Kaloleni Ward, Mr Lucas Laizer, said the voting process went on smoothly save for few shortcomings which he said were solved by officials of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

The by-election was also closely monitored by international observers with Chairperson of the Katiba Forum, Mr Deus Kibamba, urging the police to maintain order at all the polling stations. "I hail the police for tight security, but I also urge them as well as ward executive officers to act against anyone found to be using forged voting cards," Mr Kibamba urged.

Contesting for Elerai Ward in the Municipality are Emmanuel Laizer (CCM), Gilbert Bayo (CUF), Seif Shimba (CCK), Eng. Jeremiah Mpinga (Chadema) and Boisafi Shirima (TLP). For the Kaloleni Ward, the race for the post had Emmanuel Mliari (CCM), Darwesh Mkindi (CUF), Kessy Lewi (Chadema) and Ngilishi Pauli (Demokrasia Makini).

Three candidates were also vying for the Themi Ward in the Arusha Municipal Council, namely Victor Mkolwe (CCM), Kinabo Edmond (Chadema) and Lobora Ndaproi (CUF). The race was expected to be tense in Kimandolu Ward where two candidates from CCM and Chadema were vying for the post.

They are Edna Saul (CCM) and Rayson Ngowi (Chadema). The by-election was held in 136 polling stations. Kaloleni Ward had 27 stations, Elerai 55 stations, Kimandolu 39 and 15 stations for Themi Ward. A total of 60,123 voters were expected to cast their votes on Sunday.