The general election in Tanzania is scheduled to be held on October 25 and ahead of it a warning has come across from the electoral commission for the politicians not to solicitate votes at worship places while they are campaigning.
The statement of chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Tanzania, Justice Damien Lubuva, came after the opposition party Chadema’s presidential candidate and former prime minister Edward Lowassa were reported to have called the Christian congregation at a church to vote for him.
According to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the opposition party’s Lowassa violated the signed pact that says the parties must not campaign at any religious places.
Jubuva added if the parties are found guilty, there would be consequences for them. He said the acts by the political parties were not in line with the 2015 general election as all the parties had signed not to use places of worship during their campaigns.
He also urged the parties strongly not to do it again otherwise there would be some punishment that may include from getting barred from further campaign.
Until now the campaigns have been peaceful and without any kind of violence. Lubuva praised all the political parties for it.
Meanwhile, he has been invited by religious leaders next week for the Peace and Security during elections. A workshop for the same has also been organized on September 14 and 15. It is expected to involve all the parties in the country, the civil society organizations and also the religious leaders.
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