Samia urges active voter participation

DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on elligible citizens to effectivelly participate in the voter registration exercise by registering their names in order to vote during the upcoming local government elections,
President Samia further emphasized the importance of electing competent local government leaders in the civic polls late this month for the betterment of the upcoming general election, next year.

The local government elections will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, declaring the day as public holiday to give more opportunity to all people to cast their votes.

President Samia made the remarks on Friday in Dodoma during the official launch of the voter registration exercise spanning from today until October 20, 2024.

President Samia stressed that failure to participate in the registration is the violation of the country’s constitution.

“Our Constitution, under Article 45 (1), establishes regional governance systems, while Article 46 (1) provides a framework for these structures. Not participating in this exercise is a direct violation of the constitution that governs our country,” said President Samia.

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She further highlighted the vital role the local government leaders play in development and security within their respective communities, given their familiarity with the residents.

“These leaders link the government with people at the grassroots over essential needs. If you don’t vote and end up with an ineffective leader, you have to blame it on yourself. But if you participate, you can choose someone who is truly capable of serving you,” she said.

President Samia also emphasized that the registration and election process should be conducted peacefully from the initial registration phase to the voting.

Clarifying the process, President Samia noted that eligible citizens must register both for the November local government elections and for next year’s general election.