Tanzania: Code of Ethic for Elections (continued)

In regards to voting and the announcement of election results (Code 2005, 3.3, 3.4):

  • All shall cooperate at polling stations to facilitate voting and maintain tranquillity.
  • Party leaders must educate their voters to leave polling stations after voting to avoid crowding, violence or breach of peace.
  • Party agents, subject to NEC direction, may accompany ballot boxes to addition points.
  • All must adhere to and implement directives issued by the NEC to respect the results. Complaints should be directed to the relevant authority in accordance with legal procedures.
  • No campaigning shall be undertaken on election day. Party partisan dress should not be worn.
  • People should refrain from all acts that could cause chaos or commotion at polling stations or counting and addition centres.

The Government

The Code lays out the following acts that ought to be done by the government (Code 2005, 4.1):

  • It should ensure equal opportunity to all stakeholders to engage in political activity.
  • It must ensure peace and tranquillity during elections and provide security for all public events.
  • All parties with presidential candidates should have equal opportunity to use public media.
  • It should ensure that leaders and officials exercise their power within the legally defined limits.
  • It should accept and respect the decisions about results of the NEC and Returning Officers.

The government should refrain from (Code 2005, 4.2):

  • Permitting leaders and officers to abuse their authority or resources for campaigning.
  • Prohibiting or disrupting public events held in accordance with the coordinated campaign programme.
  • Victimising employees because of their party affiliation or ideology.
  • Allowing security organs to oppress political parties, candidates or supporters.
  • Allowing security forces to use excessive force.

The NEC

The NEC is responsible for planning, supervising and conducting elections that are free and fair and should (Code 2005, 5.1):

  • Ensure compliance with the Constitution and electoral law.
  • Make timetables and notice available before hand.
  • Provide voter education.
  • Provide adequate training to electoral staff.
  • Involve political parties at every stage of the electoral process.
  • Issue timely regulations and guidelines.
  • Rebuke acts by anyone that jeopardise the elections.
  • Coordinate the use of public media for presidential candidates and their political parties to provide equal opportunities for all.
  • Conduct elections transparently and professionally.

The NEC should not (Code 2005, 5.2):

  • Favour any party or candidate
  • Change programmes unilaterally.
  • Delay declaration of the results unnecessarily.

Implementation of the Code

The Code is to be signed by the leaders of parties, a Government representative and the NEC; signatories will educate the public on the Code (Code 2005, 6.0(a),(b)). An Ethics Committee will oversee implementation of the Code, consisting of a NEC Commissioner as Chair and a representative from each other signatory (Code 2005, 6.0(c)).

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Reference

NEC 2005, A Handbook of Tanzania Electoral Laws and Regulations 2005.