In a press statement released yesterday, NEC Director of Elections Kailima Ramadhani said expiration of the accreditation is in accordance to National Elections Act No. 1 of 1985 (Cap 343).
“The Accreditation Cards which were issued by the Commission to the observers expired on 10th November, 2015,” Ramadhani said.
He said following the expiration of the accreditation, no observation activities or anything related to observation is allowed to be conducted after 10th November, 2015 without written permission from National Electoral Commission.
“Whoever is carrying out any activity in connection with the electoral process at this stage is breaking the laws of the country,” he announced.
He noted that for the postponed elections in Zanzibar, any observer who wants to observe will be required to apply to the Commission for new accreditation.
“Whoever does observation without prior permission from the Commission will be committing an offence and the Commission will not stand for any person claiming to be an observer without following the proper procedures laid down by the Laws of the United Republic of Tanzania,” he warned.
Ramadhani reminded stakeholders that the National Elections Act gives NEC mandate to regulate the Conduct of Observers.
He said the Commission made the Presidential and Parliamentary (Elections) Regulations of 2015 to regulate the invitation of Observers, duration of observation, disqualification of Observers, briefing of Observers, rights and prohibition to Observers and reporting by Observers.
Ramadhani concluded with a keen reminder that there are guidelines for domestic and International Observers 2015 that clearly state among other things, the expiration of the Observation’ activities.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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