A CALL has been made for authorities to ensure that the processes of picking and returning nomination forms by aspirants are transparent to avoid the repeat of 2020 General Election where many office seekers were disqualified and their would-be opponents won unopposed.

Rev Fr Charles Kitima, Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) made the call here at the weekend when contributing at a stakeholders meeting organised by the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) on regulations for civic elections slated for later this year.

He advised that there should be transparency when aspirants return forms to eliminate complaints of unfairness emanating from disqualification of aspirants.

Peter Konki, Archbishop of Elim Pentekoste Tanzania, urged the government to increase the scope of receiving views on improvements to the draft regulations.

“Providing people with the freedom to air their views builds people’s faith in the government,” he said.

Dr Astronaut Bagile, Executive Director of Women in Social Entrepreneurship (WISE) said that gender-based violence has been hindering many women from participating in local government elections due to abusive treatment.

She thanked the government because this year’s regulations have shown hope to eradicate the challenge by holding accountable those who insult women who come forward to compete for leadership positions.

Hemed Jalala, Chief Sheikh of Shia Ithnaasharia Tanzania (T.I.C) commended the government’s move to engage religious leaders to provide their opinions on the regulations.

 “Religious leaders are important stakeholders in elections as they are the ones who preach about peace, love and unity. So, bringing us here today is commendable,” he said.

Opening the meeting, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) Dr Festo Dugange said the Local Government Act gives power to the minister in charge of of the portfolio to prepare local government elections regulations as well as supervise the exercise.