Commonwealth Observer Group
Tanzania General Elections
31 October 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Arrival Statement by Rt Hon Paul East QC
Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, constituted an Observer Group for the 2010 Tanzania General Elections, following an invitation from the National Electoral Commission. The Commonwealth, you will recall, was present for elections in 1995, 2000 and 2005.
It is my honour and privilege to have been asked to lead this Commonwealth Observer Group and to be here in Tanzania with my colleagues for these important elections.
Democracy and good governance are core Commonwealth principles and ones which our Observer Group is tasked to promote and uphold. These elections are important for the people of Tanzania, as they elect their representatives, and it is therefore imperative that the electoral process is transparent, fair and credible.
Our task, as the Commonwealth Observer Group, is to observe and report on relevant aspects of the organisation and conduct of the elections and also on the environment in which the elections are held. The Group will consider all the factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Tanzania has committed itself, with reference to its own election-related legislation as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.
We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for free and competitive elections; the transparency of the process; participation rights; the impartiality of state apparatus and public media; whether candidates were free to campaign on a level playing field; whether freedom of expression is provided for, and whether voters were free to express their will
In conducting our duties and undertaking our assessment, we will be impartial, objective and independent. Commonwealth Observers are present here in their individual capacities as distinguished Commonwealth citizens. The assessment by the Group will be its own and not that of member governments. We will deal in solutions, not criticisms, with the intent to help further strengthen the democratic process in the country.
The team of Observers come from across the Commonwealth, and includes politicians, members of election commissions, and representatives of civil society, academia and the media.
In the pre-election period we will meet a wide range of stakeholders, including officials from the National Electoral Commission and Zanzibar Electoral Commission, representatives of political parties, civil society and media, as well as High Commissions and representatives of other international and national observer groups.
Prior to election day, Commonwealth teams will deploy to various provinces around the country to observe the voting, counting and results processes. We will issue an Interim Statement after the election and a final report at a later stage.
The conduct of peaceful, transparent and credible elections is vital, and we are hopeful that this will be the case. I wish the people of Tanzania every success in the exercise of their constitutional rights. Our expectation is that the journey of democratic consolidation will continue with these elections and confirm Tanzania as one of the Commonwealth’s stable and progressive democracies. All eyes are focused on Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam, 25 October 2010
For media enquiries, please contact Mr. Julius Mucunguzi at +255758861719 or j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int
Cathy Price
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