THE National Electoral Commission (NEC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to non-citizens and people who registered more than once in the Permanent Voter Register (PVR) to turn up and surrender the voter cards or risk prosecution.
In a related development, the electoral body has handed over to the police force a list of 52,078 people with multiple registrations in the PVR through the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR).
“So far, 12 people have been arrested and arraigned after they registered more than once in the PVR. Multiple registrations are a criminal offence punishable under the law,” NEC’s Director of Elections, Mr Ramadhani Kailima said in Dar es Salaam.
The electoral body official made the explanation after a tour by journalists at the NEC data verification centre at Gerezani area in the city.
Journalists were shown how data is collected, stored and verified after the recent registration of voters countrywide. Journalists observed as well how some people had registered twice in the PVR and others up to five and seven times but were netted by the sophisticated system of the electoral body.
“During the verification exercise we realised that there are people who registered more than once, those who are underage as well as others who have been found to be non-citizens.
“I hereby issue a seven-day ultimatum for those who registered more than once and non-citizens to surrender the cards to the Director of Elections, District Executive Directors or other authorities lest they face the music,” Mr Kailima warned.
Mr Kailima handed over the list of suspected voter registration cheats to the Inspector-General of Police who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benedict Wakulyamba, from the police headquarters.
“The duty of the police is to investigate and prepare charges for proven culprits before they are brought before the courts of law,” ACP Wakulyamba said after receiving the list.
Earlier, the NEC Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Sisti Cariah, said the verification process will be completed by September 15.
“We are still screening all people who registered in the PVR to detect those who registered more than once and those who will be below 18 years of age at the date of election on October 25.
“Verification of people who have been objected as non-citizens is still going on as well,” Dr Cariah stated. In another development, Mr Kailima explained that while Chadema had indicated that it will launch its presidential campaign on August 29, it is yet to specify the venue for the event.
“Chadema indicated that they will launch their campaign in the three districts of Ilala, Temeke and Kinondoni but did not specify the venue for the rally,” he said.
The explanation was prompted by queries by journalists who had wanted to know why the opposition party had been blocked from using the Jangwani Grounds to launch the campaign by authorities in Ilala Municipality.
“It should be noted that the timetable for presidential campaigns was arranged and agreed to by all parties, which have fronted presidential aspirants.
“NEC would have intervened if Chadema had indicated Jangwani as the venue for the launch,’’ Mr Kailima explained.
He however, noted that the opposition party has the right to conduct the exercise elsewhere in Dar es Salaam on August 29 since no any other party will be allowed to conduct presidential campaigns in the region.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Alvar Mwakyusa
Quelle/Source: Daily News, 28.08.2015
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
