Election Officials Urged to Inform Political Parties in Advance.



The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed officials overseeing the 2025 General Election to provide timely information to political parties regarding the procedures for swearing in election agents.

This directive was issued today, July 21, 2025, in Shinyanga Region by the Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Hon. Justice of the Court of Appeal, Jacobs Mwambegele, during the opening of a training session for election officials ahead of the General Election scheduled for October this year (exact date to be announced by the Commission).

“When it comes to swearing in party agents, ensure that you notify political parties in advance in accordance with the law, regulations, and Commission directives, and provide them with the list of polling stations to help them assign agents accordingly,” said Justice Mwambegele.

He emphasized that officials must verify, inspect, and ensure the timely distribution of all election materials received from the Commission to every polling station, ensuring that each station leader has all the required items well ahead of time.

Justice Mwambegele also urged the officials to establish systems that ensure polling stations open promptly at 7:00 a.m. on election day and to communicate with the Commission whenever guidance is needed regarding any electoral matters.

In a similar session held on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, the Vice Chairperson of INEC, Hon. Retired Court of Appeal Judge Mbarouk Salim Mbarouk, reminded officials to execute their duties in strict adherence to the Constitution, laws, regulations, guidelines, and instructions issued by the Commission.

“Avoid becoming a source of complaints from political parties and other stakeholders. Always adhere strictly to the Constitution, laws, regulations, guidelines, and Commission directives,” emphasized Justice Mbarouk.

He further called on the officials to engage electoral stakeholders wherever required by law and Commission guidelines, and reminded them of their responsibility to identify polling stations early in order to assess specific needs and ensure an orderly and peaceful electoral process.

“Recruitment of polling station officials should be based on merit, professionalism, patriotism, integrity, and commitment to work. Avoid favoritism by appointing unqualified relatives or acquaintances,” Justice Mbarouk added.

The training is being conducted over three days across various regions and includes coordinators, returning officers, and assistant returning officers at the constituency level.

The Commission has divided the training into two phases. The current second phase involves officials from the regions of Simiyu, Shinyanga, South Pemba, North Pemba, Mwanza, Mara, Dar es Salaam, Coast, Rukwa, Katavi, Manyara, Arusha, Songwe, and Mbeya.
The first phase was conducted from July 15 to 17 and involved officials from Morogoro, Singida, Dodoma, North Unguja, South Unguja, Urban West, Geita, Kagera, Mtwara, Lindi, Tabora, Kigoma, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Ruvuma, Iringa, and Njombe.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Muslim Hassanali Returns to Politics, Seeks CCM Nomination for Kinondoni Parliamentary Seat.

Image
Muslim Hassanali, who previously contested for the Ilala constituency parliamentary seat in 2015 under the opposition party CHADEMA, has resurfaced in the political arena—this time collecting a nomination form to run for Member of Parliament in Kinondoni under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Hassanali, who later officially joined CCM, now joins a growing list of party members who have declared their intentions and collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the upcoming general elections. The process of collecting and returning nomination forms within CCM officially began on June 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 2, 2025. Hassanali’s move signals a potentially competitive race within the party as aspirants vie for various leadership positions.
Read more

EAC Countries Unite to Boost Cross-Border Agroecological Trade: Seven Key Resolutions Adopted in Jinja Conference

Image
By Our Reporter Participants of the Regional Conference on Enhancing Cross-Border Trade in Agroecological Produce within the East African Community (EAC) have issued seven resolutions aimed at boosting this crucial sector for the economies of member states. The week-long conference, held in Jinja, Uganda, brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, farmers, researchers, and journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the DRC. Reading the conference resolutions, the General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), Dr. Million Belay, said that about 100 people met and discussed ways to collaborate and advance the vision of agroecological trade within the EAC. “We agreed that every stakeholder should fulfill their responsibilities to ensure accelerated regional economic growth through agroecology. We are calling on governments and all stakeholders to fully implement commitments to eliminate non-tariff ba...
Read more

*Government Launches 15274 Hotline to Ease Access to National ID Information

Image
Dar es Salaam: The Government has urged citizens to use their mobile phones by dialing *15274 to easily access information related to National Identification Cards (NIDA). Speaking today, December 29, 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, said the service will enable citizens to check the status of their National ID cards, including whether the card has been produced or not, with feedback provided within five days. He explained that through this number, citizens will receive important information regarding their National IDs, adding that damaged ID cards are expected to be replaced starting February 2026. “By using this number, you will be able to get information on whether your ID card has been produced. I emphasize that damaged ID cards will be issued in February 2026,” said Minister Simbachawene. The Minister further noted that the Government has put in place a strategy to introduce the use of a single identification card for accessing various government services...
Read more