It is at the local level that leaders are closest to their voters and the citizens they are elected to serve.
Therefore, an active partnership and a vibrant cooperation between the local communities and their elected leaders are the backbone for democracy and sustainable development. The election of local leaders and decision-makers is essential to strengthen mutual responsibility, accountability and trust between voters and their local representatives.
Against this background, KAS supports civic and voter education in order to contribute to an informed and active participation during the upcoming local elections held on 14 December 2014 in Tanzania. The program focuses on information on the legal framework, requirements for eligible voters and candidates, and the rights and duties of the citizens with regard to the elections. In doing so, KAS contributes to the successful conduction of peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.
Beside a series of workshops for young citizens, that are conducted in collaboration with the Prime Minister´s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and Civic Education Teacher´s Association (CETA), KAS supported the printing and dissemination of a popular version of the local election manual for voters. The manual is based on the official electoral guidelines published by PMO-RALG and was worked out by local governance experts from the Tanzanian civil society organization ADLG (Actions for Democracy and Local Governance).
The manual is now available online and can be downloaded for free!