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Tanzania: Miss the October Ballot, Miss Your Voice

Dar es Salaam — FELLOW Tanzanians, it is that magical time again-election season! No, we do not mean the ‘tempting’ free T-shirts, sugar, or mysterious envelopes.

We mean the time when you, yes you, wield the most powerful tool in a democracy: your vote. Let us not beat around the baobab tree.

According to Article 5 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, every Tanzanian aged 18 and above has the right and duty to vote.

It is not just a national right; it is practically a constitutional love letter to democracy. And like any good relationship, democracy thrives only when both sides show up.

Since our beloved nation attained independence in 1961, we have honoured a sacred tradition: general elections every five years. Rain or shine, power shifts or political drama, Tanzanians have queued up, sometimes under the blistering sun, other times in gumboots through puddles to make their voices heard.

It is a tradition packed with strength we must live to. Now, to those thinking, “Why bother? My vote does not count,” here’s a gentle nudge wrapped in a stern warning: When you do not vote, you are voting for silence. Silence on schools that don’t get built. Silence on roads that never get repaired. Silence on leaders who never face the music.

Your absence from the polling station is someone else’s opportunity to speak over you. If you don’t pick your leaders, someone else will pick them for you, and they might not pick with your best interests at heart.