JONATHAN ADVOCATES FOR PEACEFUL ELECTION IN TANZANIA

The chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to Tanzania, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan arrived the country yesterday and during a press conference, advised the country’s National Electoral Commission and political parties to ensure a peaceful and transparent election.. "The success of these elections depends on every stakeholder playing their part in a peaceful, inclusive and transparent manner. The Commonwealth has every confidence in the people of Tanzania to achieve that. During our time in Tanzania, we will seek to assess the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period, against the backdrop of Tanzania’s national legislation, regional and international commitments. “We will perform our observation role with impartiality, independence and transparency. On Friday 23 October, members of the Group will deploy in small teams to various provinces across the country to observe preparations ahead of polling day. On Election Day, they will observe opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management process. “We will issue an interim statement on our preliminary findings shortly after the elections. A final report will be prepared in Tanzania. It will be submitted to the Secretary- General, and subsequently shared with relevant stakeholders and the public. The group is scheduled to depart Tanzania on October 31.” “I am greatly honoured and privileged to have been asked by Commonwealth Secretary- General, H.E. Kamalesh Sharma, to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group to Tanzania’s general election scheduled for October 25, 2015. “The group was constituted following an invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania. “Our group comprises 14 eminent persons drawn from across different regions of the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The group, which includes experts in politics, elections, media, conflict prevention and youth affairs, arrived yesterday and will stay in Tanzania until 31 October 2015.” he said