Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan yesterday advised the Tanzanian National Electoral Commission, political parties and civil societies to ensure peaceful and transparent electoral process. Jonathan gave the advice on arrival as the chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to Tanzania’s October 25 general elections. Jonathan said only a credible voting process would confer legitimacy on a democratic government. A statement quoted the former president in Dar Es Salaam as saying that the success of the polls would depend on every stakeholder. “During our time in Tanzania, we will seek to assess the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period, against the backdrop of Tanzania’s national legislation, regional and international commitments. “We will perform our observation role with impartiality, independence and transparency. On Friday, October 23, on election day, they will observe opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management process and issue an interim statement on our preliminary findings shortly after the elections. A final report will be prepared in Tanzania. It will be submitted to the Secretary-General, and subsequently shared with relevant stakeholders and the public. The group is scheduled to depart Tanzania on October 31.”
