Tanzania: voter's card but with a different purpose

By Elias Mhegera, September 2010

THE quest for identity cards in the form of voter’s registration could be cited as one of the major source for a registration of the youngsters in abundances.

One Richard Mgeni (23), with voter’s registration number 32261781 said that he is now assured of an identity card which will assist him in so many ways.

He mentioned that such IDs are needed during opening of the bank account, registering mobile phones, seeking loans and even for security purposes.

However, he claimed that the photographs are of poor quality and those who take them are likely to be unprofessional.

He was responding to a question whether his registration is related to any political conviction. His statement was echoed by a good number of youngsters around Karakata who were interviewed.

“I do not think even if I will vote this year because that is not my priority, I am just looking for an identity card” said Mgeni.

A good number of youths who were interviewed said they are frustrated because they do not see any hope with the existing political set up.

They cited the fact that a good number of politicians do not necessarily fulfill what they promise during the campaign rallies in soliciting votes.

But while this was the case it appears that even arrangement for the final registration did not go well. For instance at the Majani ya Chai, Karakata it needed a lot of scrambling for one to register.

A lecturer from the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), who was at the scene and preferred anonymity was of the opinion that registering was a necessary process even if one was not yet convinced that they will vote or not.

Yes it might happen that something of great interest occurs a few days before the election, and then it is those with voter’s card who will have an added advantage.

“One should be prepared for any unexpected event just like what happened in 1995, when then minister for labour Augustine Mrema crossed over from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi to the National Convention for Construction and Reform,” he said.

He added that Mrema brought fanfare to the political scenario due to the fact that the presidential contest attracted strong aspirants from the opposition parties after so many years of the one party rule.

He predicted that since there is infighting within the ranks of the ruling party could bring unexpected election results this year.

But Baraka Dude (36) was of a different opinion since he believed that no one can make such an important decision in the last minute, instead he said, people can not disclose their choices because they do not trust whoever interview them and the motives of such interviews.

Dude said that as far as he understands a good number of youths in the Karakata and probably in many urban centres will vote for the opposition due to the fact that they have been disillusioned with the promises that were made by President Jakaya Kiwete during his campaigns in 2005.

But he reminded the fact that Karakata is a unique case due to the fact that it is now o home of many youngsters who were left behind after their parents were forcefully evicted from Kipawa area ready for expansion of the Julius Nyerere International Airport.

But while this was his opinion last years civic polls determined that CCM was still the strong hold after his candidate emerged one John Mariki emerged victorious.

A survey in the mid of the Dar es Salaam city indicated that youngsters are dissatisfied by how the fourth phase government has delivered to the youths in terms of providing a conducive environment for self employment, while for the adults they are satisfied.
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