Chief Observer European Union Election Observation Mission(EU EOM) David Martin stressing a point.
Chief Observer European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)Mr. David Martin,Election Anaylist Tanya Marques (Ctr) and Press Offer Francsca Bogger.The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Tanzania, David Martin, presents the Mission's Final Report today on Tanzania General Elections that took place on 31 October 2010.
The EU EOM was present in Tanzania from 29 September to 28 November 2010, following an invitation from the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mission deployed 103 observers from all 27 European Union Member States as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland to all the 26 regions in Tanzania to assess the electoral process according to the international and regional principles and commitments for democratic elections as well as the laws of Tanzania.
“The final report’s aimis to make constructive comments and suggestions on how democracy might be further enhanced in Tanzania”said the Chief Observer David Martin, Member of the European Parliament. “It is not prescriptive our suggestions have to be debated in the context of the history, geography and culture of the country.
Following my discussions I feel confident that Government, opposition parties, civil society and the public will engage in debate possible amendments to election law and procedures.
In this context we are encouraged by comments from President Kikwete and Madam Speaker that our Report will be examined as part of the process for amending the Constitution of the Republic of Tanzania.
I would like to be clear that in doing so we in no way call into question the validity of the election result. I said the last time I was in the country that the ultimate test of an election is did the people get the Government they voted for? In Tanzania they did”.
The report contains findings and detailed recommendations to improve future elections in all areas of the electoral process. Key recommendations of the EU EOM include:
* Campaign period shouldbe limited to around 1 month. A longer campaign risks disinterest from the voters and puts a high burden on the finances of smaller parties.
* The NEC and ZEC should take measures to enhance transparency at all levels. The electoral commissions should publish and timely disseminate all the technical tools of the electoral process: polling station lists, constituency lists, voters’ lists and information on public financing of election campaigns. The EU EOM was particularly distressed by the lack of transparency in the aggregation process both on the Mainland and Zanzibar.
* The right to stand for election should not be limited to members of political parties but also to independent candidates.
* The NEC and ZEC should become more independent from the Government reducing its dependence on local governmentadministrative structures and in particular by distancing the Government from the appointment of Electoral Commissioners.
* Also in the interest of transparency the media should be allowed to enter polling locations on election day. This would require clear guideline and they could be drafted by electoral commissions in cooperation with the Media Council of Tanzania.
* A review of constituency boundaries is necessary to ensure that constituencies better reflect actual population trends.
* The right to petition presidential election results should be established by law in line with the international principles ratified by Tanzania.
* The judiciary should have a clear supervisory role over the performance and decisions of the electoral commissions.
The EU EOM expresses its warmest appreciation to the people of Tanzania for their cooperation and support.
The full text of final report is available in English on the mission`s website: http://webmail.eueom-tanzania.eu
The EU EOM was present in Tanzania from 29 September to 28 November 2010, following an invitation from the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mission deployed 103 observers from all 27 European Union Member States as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland to all the 26 regions in Tanzania to assess the electoral process according to the international and regional principles and commitments for democratic elections as well as the laws of Tanzania.
“The final report’s aimis to make constructive comments and suggestions on how democracy might be further enhanced in Tanzania”said the Chief Observer David Martin, Member of the European Parliament. “It is not prescriptive our suggestions have to be debated in the context of the history, geography and culture of the country.
Following my discussions I feel confident that Government, opposition parties, civil society and the public will engage in debate possible amendments to election law and procedures.
In this context we are encouraged by comments from President Kikwete and Madam Speaker that our Report will be examined as part of the process for amending the Constitution of the Republic of Tanzania.
I would like to be clear that in doing so we in no way call into question the validity of the election result. I said the last time I was in the country that the ultimate test of an election is did the people get the Government they voted for? In Tanzania they did”.
The report contains findings and detailed recommendations to improve future elections in all areas of the electoral process. Key recommendations of the EU EOM include:
* Campaign period shouldbe limited to around 1 month. A longer campaign risks disinterest from the voters and puts a high burden on the finances of smaller parties.
* The NEC and ZEC should take measures to enhance transparency at all levels. The electoral commissions should publish and timely disseminate all the technical tools of the electoral process: polling station lists, constituency lists, voters’ lists and information on public financing of election campaigns. The EU EOM was particularly distressed by the lack of transparency in the aggregation process both on the Mainland and Zanzibar.
* The right to stand for election should not be limited to members of political parties but also to independent candidates.
* The NEC and ZEC should become more independent from the Government reducing its dependence on local governmentadministrative structures and in particular by distancing the Government from the appointment of Electoral Commissioners.
* Also in the interest of transparency the media should be allowed to enter polling locations on election day. This would require clear guideline and they could be drafted by electoral commissions in cooperation with the Media Council of Tanzania.
* A review of constituency boundaries is necessary to ensure that constituencies better reflect actual population trends.
* The right to petition presidential election results should be established by law in line with the international principles ratified by Tanzania.
* The judiciary should have a clear supervisory role over the performance and decisions of the electoral commissions.
The EU EOM expresses its warmest appreciation to the people of Tanzania for their cooperation and support.
The full text of final report is available in English on the mission`s website: http://webmail.eueom-tanzania.eu
Hey UN with all those weaknesses that you pointed out and recommended for their correction, how come you conclude that Tanzanians got the president they voted for. Where does the conclusion drives its evidence.
ReplyDeleteJe, kuna jipya zaidi ya yale wengine waliyokwishasema, mbali na hilo la kufupisha muda wa kufanya kampeini?
ReplyDeleteDid the people get the government they voted for? Yes, they did! What a conclusion!
Waliokuwa wakingojea kwa hamu kauli rasmi ya EU, sasa nyamazeni!
Hiyo ndo UN bwana. Bora wangesema Hatujuhi kuliko kusema YEs they did. I dont see what they are doing with this so called kusimamia upigaji kura. They are just eating UN money while siding with whoever is in power.
ReplyDeleteWaoW! At a long last we got some transperancy recommendation from other side of the river!!!(World!).It´s a great pleasure to read at least such an open Repport rather than just hearing rumours from our own people. I´m sure if Tanzania gorv.want to lead the country to the further outstanding Peace,truth, social and political democracy, then it should takt this report as gueidline to the next Super election 2015!
ReplyDeleteI´m sure those some pionts recommended here and further in the website as Tanzania gorv.and its citizens need to go htem through very constructive to enhance a social and political Democracy in future.
Refering to some main points which i support EU Report is like:
1.Kupunguza muda wa kampeni za uchaguzi
2.Kamati ya Uchaguzi kupewa Madaraka yake pekee kuamua jinsi na wapi uchaguzi utafanyika bila kujali vyama vya kisiasa.
3.Mahakama kupewa kipaumbele katika madai ya kupokea matokeo ya Uchaguzi na kuyapinga au kuyakubali kufuatana na usahidi.
4.Kuweka uwazi Bajeti nzima ya fedha za Kampeni kwa kila chama kwa wananchi.
5.Kuruhusiwa kwa waandishi wa habari binafsi na wa serikalini kuwemo katika vyumba vya kugombea kura, kukusanya kura na kuhesabia kura, kwani huku kutasaidia wananchi kuona uhalali wao katika demokrasia ya kupiga kura kiujumla.
Nafikiri hapa wadau tutakubaliana ingawa ni safari ndefu na inayohitaji moyo na ushujaa.
Mimi nitarudi kwetu nikagombee kwanza udiwani na hatimaye kujaribu uchaguzi wangu ufanye kama mapendekezo yalivyoletwa nine kama kuna ugumu wa kufanikisha hayo mapendekezo. Naomba wadau muda wangu ukifika nami nipeni kula zenu na mtaletewa report juu ya uchaguzi!!!!
Bongo oyeee!!!!!!!!!!!
Mdau Ngasa wa Germany!
Why can't I access original text? I think the report was meant for all Tanzanians...
ReplyDeleteThe link posted in this blog by some mistake refers us to the webmail of the people that worked as Observer in the mission.
ReplyDeleteYou can find the report in English and Swahili in the Observation Mission website www.eueom.eu/eu-eom-tanzania/reports
all the best,
Paulo