Samia directs military to prepare for election challenges

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday directed the military to prepare for any challenges that may arise during the forthcoming elections.

Gracing the seventh meeting between the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and army commanders in Dar es Salaam, President Hassan said since elections involved many parties that harboured different intentions, it was only sensible for the military to remain vigilant.

“We will start off with local government elections this year, but since elections involve many parties that have different intentions, we are not sure if everything will go according to plan. I now ask the TPDF (the Tanzania People’s Defence Force), through your various commands, to prepare for any eventuality,” she said.

The Head of State, however, hastened to say that he remarks did not mean that the elections will indeed be chaotic, noting that it was during election time that the need to foster security became even more important.

“All the procedures, laws and guidelines governing elections will be followed, but the TPDF and other defence and security organs must be ready to face any challenge that may arise.”

Tanzania will hold local government elections later this year to elect leaders at the grassroots level before embarking on the 2025 General Election to elect the President, MPs and councillors.

President Hassan said the General Election could pose more challenges and the military must be ready to deal with them.