GENERAL ELECTION PREPS: PVR update kicks off

KIGOMA: THE updating of the Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) is set to be launched today at Kawawa grounds in Kigoma Region, marking the official kick off of the important exercise countrywide.
The updating of the PVR is a crucial exercise as the country is scheduled to hold its General Election next year.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PVR update will commence in three regions including Kigoma, Tabora and Katavi and thereafter followed by other regions including Geita and Kagera regions.
Other regions to follow are Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Manyara.
INEC Director of Elections Ramadhan Kailima said the event will be presided over by the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
“The update of the register aims at giving an opportunity to qualified citizens to register and become eligible voters by updating voters’ information or transferring their information, including enabling those who have lost their IDs to secure new ones and delete those who lack the qualifications to remain in the register,” he said.

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Mr Kailima also outlined new features in PVR update including registration of the prisoners in mainland Tanzania and trainees in correctional institution in Zanzibar who serve below six months and remandees who qualify to be registered.
“There are 140 voters’ registration centres in prisons of which 130 are in Mainland and 10 correctional institutions in Zanzibar,” he said.
According to INEC, more than five million new voters across the country are expected to be registered in the PVR. According to him, after the update, the permanent voter’s register is expected to have a total of 34,746,638 voters.
“A total of 5,586,433 new voters, equivalent to 18.7 per cent of 29,754,699 voters existing in current register after the update made in 2019/2020, are expected to be added in the document,” he pointed out.
However, Mr Kailima added that as 4,369,531 voters are expected to update their information, at least 594,494 are anticipated to be deleted for not having the qualifications to remain in the register.

Mr Kailima said that this year’s exercise will entail a total of 40,126 registration centres, with 39,709 located in mainland Tanzania and 417 in Zanzibar.

Unlike previous years, this year’s updating of the Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) will use upgraded Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits for efficient execution of the project.
INEC Chairman Judge Jacobs Mwambegele said the improved kits, which are expected to be used during the exercise have been reduced in weight from 35 to 18 kilogrammes.

He also said that voters can now update their information in the Permanent National Voters’ Register online following the introduction of the online Voters Registration System (VRS).
He said voters can use their computers or mobile devices to change their polling stations if they have relocated to a different region or district.
The VRS has been designed to align with the current design of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits that use Android software, unlike the previous BVR Kits that used Microsoft Windows software, he noted.
Several government leaders have been calling on citizens to register or update their information in the Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) once the exercise kicks off.

Addressing a public rally at CCM Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga District Council as she concluded her three-day working tour of Rukwa region, President Samia Suluhu Hassan called on Tanzanians to register or update their information in the Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) and actively participate in the upcoming local government election slated for later this year.
“I urge you all to register in the PVR and to participate actively in the voting process,” President Samia stated.
The Head of State added that by participating in the exercise, the citizens will be granted the access to exercise their constitutional right of electing their leaders in the general election 2025.
The Commission is required to update the Permanent National Voters’ Register twice, once after the conclusion of the General Election and one day before the day of nominating candidates for the next General Election. This is in accordance with section 15(5) of the National Elections Act, Cap. 343, and section 21(5) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Cap. 292.
The number of voters has been increasing simultaneously over years. In the 2020 general elections, a total of 29,754,696 voters were registered for voting. In 2015, the number of registered voters was 23,161, 440 while in 2010 the commission registered 20,137,303 voters. Moreover, a total of 16,442,657 voters were registered in the 2005 general elections.