ARUSHA, Tanzania — The East African Community has deployed its Election Observation Mission to observe the Oct. 29 General Elections in Tanzania, headed by Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, former vice president of Uganda.
The mission’s deployment follows an invitation by the Tanzanian government and aligns with a directive from the EAC Council of Ministers. The 67-member team includes officials from the East African Legislative Assembly, electoral commissions, human rights bodies, civil society and the EAC Secretariat.
“As a Community founded on the principles of good governance, rule of law, and respect for human rights, the EAC considers credible elections a cornerstone of democracy and regional integration,” Kazibwe said during a flag-off ceremony.
The mission will engage with electoral stakeholders, monitor final campaign activities, and observe polling, counting and the transmission of results.
The observers’ mandate is to evaluate the electoral process against Tanzanian law, EAC principles and international standards. A preliminary statement will be issued shortly after the election, with a comprehensive final report to follow.
The mission’s deployment comes as Tanzania seeks to restore confidence in its electoral process. The previous elections were marred by reports of restrictions on opposition parties, with the main party, CHADEMA, barred from participating. Groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also documented suppression of media freedoms, enforced disappearances and a biased electoral commission.
The Deputy Head of the Mission, EALA member Maina Karobia, emphasized the team’s objective role.
“We are here in a spirit of partnership and solidarity with the people of Tanzania. Our role is not to interfere but to observe and report objectively,” Karobia said. He affirmed that all stakeholders share a responsibility to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The mission is anchored in the EAC Treaty, which obligates partner states to uphold principles of good governance, democracy, and the protection of human rights.
