On 28th October, 2020, the people of the United Republic of Tanzania will vote in their General Elections mainly to elect the office bearers for the presidency, members of parliament and ward councillors. This will be the sixth General Election since first multi-party elections in 1995.
In view of the challenges brought about the COVID-19 pandemic, the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) could not be physically deployed to the United Republic of Tanzania. Instead, SADC adopted a virtual approach of consultation with electoral stakeholders in the furtherance of the consolidation of democracy in the region, in accordance with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015).
To this end, SADC expresses gratitude to all the electoral stakeholders who have availed themselves for virtual consultations that were conducted since 14th October 2020.
I wish to commend the people of the United Republic of Tanzania for the peaceful and exemplary manner in which they have conducted themselves during the election campaign period, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, I urge all citizens to maintain the same spirit as they cast their ballots.
I wish the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Electoral Management Bodies, and all contesting candidates, peaceful and successful elections.
Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi,
President of the Republic of Botswana, and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
27th October, 2020.
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