PVR update begins smoothly in Kagera with new technology

KAGERA: THE Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) update in Kagera Region has begun smoothly, with the exercise running until Sunday this week.

Early reports from various districts, including Muleba, Karagwe, Ngara, Biharamulo, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba indicate that registration centers are operating efficiently, allowing residents to update their voter information seamlessly.

The Director of Information and Voter Education under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ms Giveness Aswile explained that Kagera aims to register 219,321 new voters, boosting the total PVR count to 1,631,329.

This is a notable increase from the 1,412,008 voters recorded in the last update cycle of 2019/2020.

To accommodate the growing number of voters, INEC has expanded the number of voting stations in Kagera by adding 101 new locations, bringing the total to 1,778, up from 1,677.

She has called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in realising that all targeted people upgrade their information in the PVR.

She explained that the PVR’s updating intends at ensuring that people practice their fundamental right of voting as stipulated in Article 5 (1) of the Union Constitution of 1977, which offers an opportunity for all citizens with 18 years and above to vote in any election in Tanzania.

“PVR upgrading is the critical step ahead of the country’s civic polls slated later this year and general election in 2025, taking into consideration that there is a large group of Tanzanians, who have attained the age criteria for casting vote after the last general election held in 2020,” she said.

Adding….” It is from this background that the update exercise involves registration of new voters. PVR upgrading also allows previously registered voters to improve their voting information, altered by among other things, change in residential areas to new geographical voting territory.

The exercise also welcomes those who have lost their voting Identification Cards (IDs) to secure new ones and delete those who lack the qualification to remain in the register,” she said.

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INEC anticipates that the national update will add over five million new voters, raising the total PVR to approximately 34,746,638.

Out of these, 5,586,633 will be new registrations, while 594,494 ineligible voters are expected to be removed.

This year’s PVR update features significant improvements in technology.

The introduction of new Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits, which are lighter and more efficient than previous models, is expected to streamline the process.

Additionally, the new Voters’ Registration System (VRS) allows voters to update their information online, facilitating easier adjustments to polling stations.

This year’s exercise will entail a total of 40,126 registration centres, with 39,709 located in Mainland Tanzania and 417 in Zanzibar.

Elaborating, she said that voters can now update their information on the PVR online, following the introduction of the online Voters’ Registration System (VRS).

“Voters can now 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 BVR kits that use Android software, unlike the previous BVR kits that used Microsoft Windows software.

The improved kits, which are expected to be used during the exercise have been reduced in weight from 35 to 18 kilogrammes,” she noted.