Advertisement

Catholic Archbishop Calls Integrity in Tanzania’s Elections amid Concerns about Underage Voters

Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi of Tanzania’s Catholic Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam

Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi of Tanzania’s Catholic Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam has called for integrity in the voting process, urging that only eligible citizens be allowed to vote and that each vote cast be a “legitimate vote.”

The nationwide poll scheduled for November 27 is for the election of leaders at the village, sub-village, and neighborhood levels within district and municipal authorities in the East African country.

In his message ahead of the elections, Archbishop Ruwa’ichi emphasized the need for legitimate votes, referring to reports of registration of the underage as voters and previous complaints of invalid votes in the past elections.

“It is our prayer that, when it comes to choosing local government leaders, citizens eligible to vote will be given the opportunity to cast legitimate votes,” the Archbishop said in his message published on Thursday, November 7.  

He added, “I say ‘legitimate votes’ because there have been complaints in the past that elections were conducted, yet those chosen were not elected through valid votes. This does not benefit our country, our society, or our development.”

Advertisement

“Local government elections are a civic exercise and a democratic opportunity,” the Archbishop who has been at the helm of the leadership of Dar-es-Salaam since his installation in August 2019 said, emphasizing that the process requires “integrity, patriotism, and honesty.”

The Tanzanian-born member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM Cap) argued that for Tanzania to progress, the citizens must act in ways that uphold fairness, transparency, and accuracy.

Reflecting on one of his recent travels abroad, he said, “While I was in Rome, I followed the news and was saddened to hear reports here and there of strategies involving the registration of children who had not yet reached voting age.”

Such practices, he warned, pose serious risks, as they “teach children to be dishonest, deceitful, and reckless.” According to the Archbishop, raising children in dishonesty and recklessness “sows the seeds of our own challenges.”

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry as Bishop of Tanzania’s Diocese of Mbulu in May 1999 urged Tanzanians to “commit to doing things correctly and truthfully”,  stating that this approach would strengthen the nation and foster success.

More in Africa

After the November 27 Local Government polls, the East African nation is also set to hold general elections in October 2025. This will involve electing the president, members of parliament and ward representatives.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.