The centre will be responsible for collecting announced results from their agents at polling centres countrywide and release them to the media.
The move, according to Ukawa, comes amid concerns that the CCM government had shown all indications of unwillingness to vacate the State House when it loses, affirming its certainty to emerge victorious in the polls.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) director of elections, Reginald Muniss, said the centre would not limit its functions to only collecting presidential results, but also parliamentary and councillorship votes from every polling centre and publish them through various media outlets including social media. “We have more than 800 young IT experts who will be operating at the information centres during the Sunday election,” he noted, adding that if NEC’s data varied from their theirs they would sit with Commission officials to verify the discrepancies on the spot.
“We have confidence in our agents as we believe they are committed enough to bring changes that will give no room to bribes or giving wrong information,” he said in response to a question whether the agents would resist bribes to facilitate vote rigging.
Chadema Central Committee member, Prof. Baregu Mwesiga, commended the move, saying it was worth the effort amid indications that Ukawa could emerge winners if the elections are free and fair.
“I call on security forces to do away with fear and threats as the people are well prepared to go to the polls in a peaceful manner and in accordance with the law,” he said.
He urged NEC to conduct free and fair elections to save the nation from possible unrest.
Meanwhile, Baregu has also expressed concern over the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) database, saying there was still confusion over the exact number of voters.
Earlier in the month, Ukawa appealed to NEC to share the BVR database with political parties following the commission’s assurance that the October 25 general election would be free and fair.
Ukawa then appealed to the NEC to allow them and international observers to inspect the tallying software before the poll.
Chadema Deputy Secretary-General (Mainland), John Mnyika, had said that transparency and fairness would only be in place if the stakeholders were allowed to access the crucial equipment.
NEC Chair Judge (rtd) Damian Lubuva urged the electorate to have faith in the institution, saying their votes would count as no individual or institution could steer them from the will of the people.
“Tanzanians should not worry about our ability to handle this year’s general election. There is no candidate or political party that will be favoured,” he emphasized, pointing out that no one would be treated unfairly.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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