A voting form was issued to each voter.

1. A voting form was issued to each voter. They showed names and photos of the candidates and the names of the parties.

2. Each polling station held one voting booth where voters cast their secret ballot by marking under their candidate of choice.

3. Illiterate voters had to find a family member or friend to help them cast their vote, except in some cases where the agents helped.

4. Completed and folded voting papers were put into a transparent ballot box in full view of the agents.

5. After voting, each voter had a blue dye painted onto one finger to signify a completed vote.

6. At 4pm polling finished, doors were locked, and election officials sealed the ballot boxes, witnessed by the agents.

7. After checking the number of used and unused ballot papers, votes for each party were counted in the ballot station by election officials, witnessed by agents.

8. 6 result forms were then filled out by election officials and signed by the agents. The agents kept 1 each, another was sent to the Returning Officer and the 6th was posted outside for all to see.

9. In Kibaya Town Chadema’s substantial win was greeted with wild celebration. But it was shortlived when CCM’s landslide in the rural areas became clear.

10. The Aftermath Ballot boxes were then transported to the Returning Office in Kibaya – in some cases this involved a 4 hour drive. That evening, as results came in from rural areas, both Chadema and CCM youth took to the streets chanting slogans. After half an hour of FFU cars chasing them around, they were warned to disperse or else. They did and peace resumed. The ballots were counted next day. Chadema refused to attend the count, even though counting was delayed to accommodate them.

11. The Results Out of 74,626 registered voters, only 34,474 voted. By local and national standards this was a low turnout, at just 46.2% (compared to 75.8% in 2005). The results: • Benedict Nangoro (CCM) - 21,506 (62.4%) • Victor Kimesera (Chadema) - 12,561 (34.4%) • Mashaka Fundi (SAU) - 300 (0.9%) • Juma Rashid (PPT Maendeleo) - 110 (0.3%)

12. Issues to consider The process of updating the NVR for by-elections should be reviewed. Review the possibilities to make it easier for illiterate voters to make secret ballots. The financing of political parties and campaigning should be reviewed to reach a more equal playing field. Continue to send missions of political officers to future by-elections.

13. Asante sana John Bradshaw British High Commission Hester Somsen Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands