NEC unconvincing on general elections schedule.

BY EDITOR

2nd May 2015

Editorial Cartoon.

As the general elections date approaches the heat is rising with political stakeholders throwing punches at the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for its failure to have things done in the right way.

 

This is not the first time NEC comes under spirited attacks from political stakeholders as it will be remembered that in the first quarter of this year the national electoral body was handed blame not only from opposition parties  but also the ruling Chama Cha  Mapinduzi  for its failure to keep the general public updated on the pace  of Biometric Voter Registration ( BVR).

 

Despite the entire government and NEC officials repeatedly maintaining that the referendum for the proposed constitution would be held end of last month things did not work as planned. As a result the Katiba Vote was postponed until some later date.From a simple analysis of affairs the postponement of the referendum did not come by surprise since the signs were clear, indicating that there was not the slightest possibility for NEC to complete the registration of voters.

 

 Now, with that in mind the debate has been renewed with new vigour, again from the same political stakeholders, opposition parties.

However, the tune of the song this time is rather different – they want NEC to explain with what magic they would ensure the general elections are held on October 30.

 

Looking at issues critically the outcry from opposition parties, especially those forming what is known as the Coalition of the People’s Constitution (Ukawa) a genuine case is evident. Given the fact that the general elections would be held end of October with no explicit timetable for voter registration so far, doubts and uncertainties must linger in people’s minds.

 

About two weeks ago NEC Chairman Judge (rtd) Damian Lubuva assured the public that things would go as planned following the arrival of more BVR kits. But the question  still being asked by political stakeholders is why NEC doesn’t want to issue a proper registration timetable indicating dates and regions or districts so that voters and political parties, the  major stakeholders, start getting prepared?

 

 NEC should get itself organised when doing things. It should not let feelings of incompetence envelop its work, as that helps to raise the political temperature, unnecessarily but unavoidably.  

 

Already, there are clear indications that its failure to have things done in the right way generates an environment to have the general elections slated for October 30 postponed.  This fear is cultivating another, what to do if this should occur, which is a situation that is dangerous for the nation that has strived to build democracy since independence.

 

Ukawa members have also claimed that the government is preparing a Bill to be tabled in Parliament to extend President Jakaya Kikwete’s tenure of office. In Swahili we have an expression that says Lisemwalo lipo kama halipo laja literally translated as whatever is said exists and if it doesn't it will happen or come about soon.

 

Thank God, Judge Lubuva has reacted, declaring that those were just opposition parties’ feelings. He emphasized that the general elections would go on as planned.  But again a question comes up: How can we believe them (NEC) if they gave the same answers on the referendum only to announce its postponement at the eleventh hour? 

 

NEC must reorganize itself for the elections to be held smoothly or else we should wait for magic to help us as to what comes next if NEC keeps on fumbling and huffing!

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN