Policy Forum, in collaboration with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) on the 26th of October, 2009 launched a Swahili booklet to fight corruption in elections. Entitled: 'Makosa ya Rushwa katika Chaguzi Tanzania', the booklet aims to help educate communities on how to recognise and fight acts of corruption during elections.

This is a second publication in collaboration with the PCCB as part of PF's objective of popularising policy and legislation documents by rendering them simple to mass audiences.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Mary Mosha representing PCCB said that the booklet would help citizens better understand the National Elections Act of 1985, the Local Government Elections Act, as well as the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act of 2007.

She also added that PCCB was involved in this exercise as part of keeping in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP II) which insists on the importance of stakeholder participation including citizens and civil society organisations in the fight against corruption.

"The production of this booklet is hence the continuation of our collaboration with Policy Forum in our efforts to educate the public on what constitutes corruption in elections and the penalties involved," she said.

Hebron Mwakagenda, the PF Local Government Working Group's (LGWG) convenor, also added that next year the booklet will be put to good use as there is a general election coming up.

In 2007 PF produced a popular version of the  Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act in collaboration with PCCB and launched it at the Gender Festival. PF produces these simplified booklets in plain Swahili language so as to help the general public to have wide access to policy documents.

Picture: PF's LGWG Convenor, Hebron Mwakagenda (left) and PCCB's Mrs. Mary Mosha, holding a copy of the booklet at the latter's office in October this year.