A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) has asked the government of Tanzania to ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, Development Diaries has gathered.

In a meeting organised by Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), the CSOs said that the charter was imperative for Tanzania because, once ratified and domesticated, the country is compelled to promote democracy, and adhere to the rule of law.

It was learnt that when the charter was first adopted in 2007, it raised the hopes of democracy activists as they believed the charter would strengthen good governance. But for over ten years, Tanzania and eight countries have yet to ratify it.

LHRC’s official in the department of legal services, Gabriel Lubyagila, said that it was prudent that the government ratified the charter, adding that there were some issues raised by politicians that needed to be resolved before the polls.

Lubyagila also said that the meeting was held at the right time as it was aimed at reminding the public that there were vital electoral issues that policymakers needed to address in order to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

Source: IPP Media

Photo source: IPP Media