Press Release
United States welcomes Tanzanian electoral officials to observe U.S. Presidential elections
October 24, 2008
U.S. Ambassador Mark Green met with two electoral officials, Ms. Hollo Kazi of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and Mr. Hamad Ayoub Bakari of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), on Thursday to discuss the election officials’ upcoming visit to the United States. The two will observe U.S. Presidential elections from October 27 through November 7, 2008 under an official International Visitor programme sponsored by the American people.
According to the U.S. Embassy spokesperson, Jeffery A. Salaiz, the two Tanzanians will be introduced to the dynamics of the U.S. electoral process; will witness the final stages of the 2008 presidential campaign, including participation in Election Day activities; and will examine the impact of U.S. domestic politics on U.S. foreign policy. The two will observe Presidential campaigns from a variety of perspectives, federal and statewide races and the role of grassroots organization and the media in the 2008 elections.
The Tanzanians start their International Visitors Observe the Election (I-VOTE) programme in Washington, D.C. Here, together with 79 other participants, they will be introduced to American federalism and the U.S. political system. Participants will examine the two-party system and how national campaign strategies play out at the state and local level.
Through discussions and demonstrations, the Washington programme will explore topics such as campaign strategy, organization, finance, polling, and advertising. The group will also examine the growing significance of the internet in the 2008 campaign, especially in attracting the youth vote.
After visiting Washington, D.C, the group will be divided into smaller groups of approximately 20 participants to visit the hotly contested, large electoral (or "swing states") that will be particularly significant to the outcome of the election. These “battleground” states include: Colorado; Ohio; Florida; Minnesota and Missouri.
During the last days of the elections, November 3-5, the Fellows will travel in pairs to one of 50 diverse towns and cities across the country where they will actually witness poll returns. They will focus on the election itself and voting practices in the U.S., examine the mechanics of running elections, including voter registration and rules governing polling places.
They will also observe last minute campaign activities, talk informally with voters, campaign workers and special interest groups, and observe voting at various polling places. They will attend social events organized to watch the election results as they are reported, and attend victory or concession events in the community.
The participants will re-unite in Boston, Massachusetts, where they will analyse the outcome of the election at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. They will also compare and contrast what they had observed in the different regions of the country, before returning to Tanzania.
The United States seeks to foster greater accountability through the strengthening of Tanzanian institutions through mutual understanding exchanges. In 2010, Tanzania will hold multiparty elections. We will support efforts to increase democratic participation and understanding of citizens’ rights. This U.S election observing programme is sponsored by the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 billion Tanzanian shillings in fiscal year 2008.