Dr Specioza Kazibwe leads EAC elections observers' team in Tanzania

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The East African Community has deployed its Election Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor the general elections in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The deployment of the mission is in line with a directive of the EAC Council of Ministers requiring the Secretariat to observe elections in all Partner States. The assignment also underscores the EAC’s unwavering commitment to democratic governance, peace, and stability in the region.

EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva handing over the Commission flag to Dr Specioza Kazibwe on Friday. (Credit: EAC)

The mission is headed by former Uganda Vice President Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe. A trained surgeon and champion of public health and gender equality, Dr Kazibwe also served as the United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The EAC secretariat has revealed that the EAC Election Observation Mission comprises 67 observers drawn from all EAC partner states, including Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), representatives of National Electoral Commissions, National Human Rights Commissions, civil society, and the EAC Secretariat.

The observers were officially dispatched on Friday to various regions across Tanzania to assess the conduct of the electoral process.

EAC election observation team for Tanzania elections was flagged off on Friday in Arusha. (Credit: EAC)

At the flag off events, the EAC Secretary General, Veronica Nduva, said that the observers' activities include engaging with electoral stakeholders, monitor the final campaign activities, and observe the polling, voting, counting, and transmission of results processes.

Revealing that the mission will issue a preliminary statement shortly after the elections, followed by a comprehensive final report, she added that “These reports will present our findings and offer recommendations aimed at strengthening future electoral processes within the region.”

Some of the observers aboard EAC vehicles deployed to various regions across the United Republic of Tanzania. (Credit: EAC)

Relatedly, Dr Kazibwe said, “the mandate is to evaluate the elections in line with national laws, the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation, and relevant international standards. 

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,” Dr Kazibwe noted during the flag-off ceremony in Arusha.