The dynamics of elections across Africa has been one of the most dramatic changes over the decades. In country after country, people have risked their lives to be able to cast their vote. Elections are virtually the indispensable tool of democracy.

The fact that competitive elections are no longer rare in Africa is a positive development. They have given African people opportunity to elect leaders that represent the needs of the citizens and prioritize development goals.

Free and transparent political elections constitute an important and essential step towards successful leadership and democracy. Failure or absence of free political elections may impede social and economic development of a country or region as it may lead to social upheaval.

Political stability is irrefutably of primary importance in fostering economic and social development and in attracting foreign direct investment to every country.

However, compared to other parts of the world, Africa is not a high flyer in the area of election management. This can be attributed to the scourge of violence, fraud, corruption and intimidation.

On top of this, many election management bodies are staffed mostly by party apparatchiks-this means that they are unable to conduct elections impartially.

The central importance of elections in building and solidifying democratic societies, analysts point out, their quality depends on progress in other areas as well.

Good elections are directly linked to the independence of the electoral body, judicial system, a competitive media environment, the ability of civil society to be involved in public life and a political landscape that allows free expression of diverging views

It is no doubt that, accountability, election observation and monitoring and protection of human rights are essential ingredients in the East African integration process.

Consolidating peace and security and strengthening this democratic process remains critical to the regional development as well.

This is why the instability in Burundi heightens political fragility and risks not only to the country, but also turns back the region’s efforts towards strengthening democracy- the events pose a major threat to the ongoing political, economic and social development on the East African integration.

Burundi demonstrated how elections, which are meant to promote stability and facilitate the peaceful transfer of power, can become divisive if the process is not handled professionally, transparently and with integrity.

The East African countries have many things in common, including an active civil society, a vibrant and free press, an independent electoral body, a competitive political landscape and a widely shared respect for the rule of law.

These are the basic ingredients of collective transformation, progression and in building a greater regional economic strong hold which must be upheld.

Things are now heating up as Election Day draws near in Tanzania which has been one of Africa’s leading or strongest democracies and perhaps most peaceful countries in East Africa and the entire continent.

Tanzania’s 25thOctober presidential and parliamentary elections will be hotly contested and seems to be the closest elections in the country’s history.

The contest pitching Chama Cha Mapunduzi’s Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and the former prime minister and political heavyweight Edward Lowassa of Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (Ukawa) has attracted regional and international attention.

As pundits now view it, a number of factors may influence the outcome of this year’s hotly contested election.

Now more Tanzanians have better access to education than in the previous election, leading to stronger understanding of political, social and economic situation of the country thereby influencing voters’ choice.

In addition, unlike other countries however, ethnic issues never play a serious role in determining voters’ electoral choice in Tanzania.

So far through their campaign period we have seen numerous opportunities for the electorate to receive objective information from a free press, freedom to assemble for political rallies.

Undoubtedly, such positive experiences need to be multiplied if Africa is to make a meaningful contribution to the world of election management and democratisation.

Tanzania must get it right in their historic moment as it concerns free and fair elections, this would be a great precedent in demonstrating that leaders have to work hard to win the trust of the people they want to lead.

Africa and the world will be watching how the events unfold as the people of East Africa’s most populated country make a choice! Good luck to the Tanzanian people.

oscar_kim2000@yahoo.co.uk