Dodoma — NKENGE Member of Parliament, Ms Asumpter Mshama has proposed that the government should reschedule voting day, so that it does not interfere with worshipping.
Ms Mshana explained that currently the general elections are conducted on Sundays, a day which the legislator stressed that it denies Christians the opportunity to participate in the elections, because they have to attend prayers.
She proposed that the government should find a day that does not interfere with worshipping and make it a public holiday, to allow more people to participate in the elections.
“I think the government should have the polls on the day that people do not go to worship and make it a holiday, to allow eligible voters get ample time for the exercise,” she said.
Citing an example from neighbouring country, Kenya, Ms Mshana said during the country’s recent general election, it was held on a Monday which was made a public holiday to allow the public participate fully.
Responding, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs), Mr Wiliam Lukuvi, said the current election law does not stipulate that there should be a special day for voting.
He said the government’s choice for Sunday was specifically based on the fact that more workers are off duty on that particular day, thus enable them the opportunity to participate in the elections.
“The government is aware that Christians worship on Sundays, but they could as well go and vote after prayers, since the voting begins early in the morning to almost four o’clock in the evening,” he explained.
