AICT urges Tanzanians to register for upcoming local government election

DAR ES SALAAM: AFRICA Inland Church Tanzania (AICT) has called upon eligible Tanzanians to register on voter roll for the forthcoming Local Government Election scheduled for next month.

The appeal comes a few days after the registration exercise was opened last Friday by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

President Samia led Tanzanians in a 10-day exercise to register for the much-awaited 2024 civic poll.

According to the information revealed on Tuesday by the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mohamed Mchengerwa the exercise was on track with 45 per cent of eligible voters already registered.

The church’s appeal was made by the AICT-Coast Diocese Bishop, Philipo Magwano while addressing journalists about the AICT’s golden jubilee, which will take place on October 27 this year in Dar es Salaam.

Bishop Magwano encouraged the eligible Tanzanians to turn up in large numbers so that they can exercise their constitutional right by participating in voting on November 27 this year.

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“I know this year the country is going to conduct Local Government Election. We are also continuing to encourage our believers and Tanzanians at large to register so they can participate in the election for local government leaders taking place in November,” Bishop Magwano underlined.

However, the ‘Daily News’ conducted survey to spot the expectations of new voters who anticipate participating in Local Government Election, and found some of them expressed hope that the civic poll will lead to meaningful change and better representation at the local level.

Majority are saying that they will elect effective leaders who are accountable and capable to address local issues such as safety, sanitation and public services.

They feel that this exercise will increase citizens’ participations in decision making.

Many emphasise the importance of engaging in the electoral process to ensure their voices are heard and to influence local governance.

Majority, especially the first-time voters are pleased with the smooth registration process. They view the exercise as an efficient and hassle-free registration and they hope the same will happen in the voting process.

Regarding the 50th anniversary celebrations of the church, the Bishop Magwano said before the climax of the golden jubilee, various spiritual and social activities will be held, including the distribution of gas stoves to communities in need as part of efforts to support the government’s initiatives to promote the use of clean cooking energy.

Furthermore, he said that the church will continue to collaborate with the government in providing various social services, including education, health, and water.

Bishop Magwano also told the journalist that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to grace the event.