Poll: 40pc of voters not keen on CCM candidates’ speeches

Tanzania Education Development Research Organisation (TEDRO) Managing Director Jacob Kateri speaks in Dar es Salaam yesterday when presenting his report on The Citizen’s opinion on CCM presidential contestants toward the General Election. PHOTO | VENANCE NESTORY 

In Summary

• The public opinion research report unveiled yesterday in Dar es Salaam was meant to establish to what extent the people were aware of the process

Dar es Salaam.  At least 40 per cent of Tanzanians were not following CCM presidential hopefuls when they declared their intent to seek the highest office through the media or public rallies, a new report shows.

The public opinion research report unveiled yesterday in Dar es Salaam was meant to establish to what extent the people were aware of the process and expectations on the aspirants in addressing issues mentioned in their speeches when they publicly declared their intention.

The survey by Tanzania Education Development Research Organisation (Tedro) was done from a sample of 20 districts, whereby it was found that 77 per cent of urban residents were following up on the presidential hopefuls while in rural areas only 41 per cent of the people were aware of the matter.

Many people (46 per cent) used television, 24 per cent relied on newspapers and only three per cent depended on social media to get awareness on the aspirants.

Executive director of Tedro Jacob Kateri said six priorities emerged across all speeches of those who desire to take over from President Jakaya Kikwete.

The priorities which mostly appeared in their speeches were: reducing unemployment, making Tanzania a middle-income country, improving the education sector, uplifting the agriculture sector, strengthening good governance and fighting against corruption, and ensuring accountability.

“These priorities can be among issues of focus in the manifesto of the ruling party,” Mr Kateri said.

Out of the six priorities, people had hopes, after listening to speeches by presidential hopefuls, that Mr Mwigulu Nchemba, if elected as president, would be capable of bringing Tanzania to middle-income status, strengthening good governance and fighting corruption as well as building accountability in government.

Those interviewed also were of the view that Mr Edward Lowassa would manage to reduce the unemployment rate and improve the education sector.  On other hand, the report says majority of the respondents gave hope to Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda that if elected to the presidency he could uplift the agriculture sector in the country.