Election Campaigns:

The Campaign period provides an opportunity for Political Parties and their Candidates to make formal contact with the voters to solicit their votes. During this period Political Parties get an opportunity to explain Election Manifestos and publicize their policies in public rallies.

In accordance with electoral laws every Candidate or Political Party Agent is required to prepare a campaign programme and submit it to the Returning Officer. In the case of Councillors’ Election under Section 53 (3) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act (No. 4 of 1979) each Political Party which has fielded a Candidate is required to submit its proposed campaign programme to the Returning Officer.

The Returning Officer coordinates campaign programmes by convening meetings with Candidates with a view to discuss and reach consensus to avoid the possibility of clashes. The Returning Officer is required to submit the agreed programme to the District Commissioner, for information, and to the Police Officer Commanding District (OCD) for security arrangements. As for Presidential Campaigns, the Commission coordinates the Campaign Programme by convening Political Party meetings with the same view of discussing and reaching consensus to avoid the possibility of similar clashes.

Section 51 (3) of the Elections Act No. 1 of 1985 and Section 53 (1) of the Local Authority (Elections) Act No. 4 of 1979 authorize Candidates/Political Parties/Agents to do door-to-door canvassing.

The Use of Public-Owned Media

The Candidate for the office of the President and Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Political Parties participating in an election have the right to use public-owned media during the official period of elections campaigns.

The Commission, after consultation with the candidate and Political Parties concerned and officers responsible for the public owned media coordinates the programmes of broadcasting.

Every public-owned media which publishes or broadcasts any information relating to the electoral process is guided by the principle of total impartiality and shall refrain from any discrimination in relation to any candidate and in the amount of space dedicated to them.