ZANZIBAR Media Experts Committee (ZAMECO) has called on the government to work closely with the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) to guarantee safety of journalists, female candidates and election agents throughout the entire process leading up to the General Election scheduled for October 29 this year.

The committee brings together several key institutions, including the Media Council of Tanzania (Zanzibar Office), Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA-Zanzibar), Zanzibar Press Club (ZPC), Zanzibar Media Association for Development (WAHAMAZA) and Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC).

According to a statement released yesterday, ZAMECO emphasized that a safe environment during elections is fundamental to ensuring that all stakeholders carry out their duties freely and without fear as guaranteed under Article 15(1) of the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984.

That provision states that every person is entitled to respect and protection of their person, the privacy of own life, family, residence and communications.

The committee stressed the need for specific measures, grounded in law and regulations, to safeguard the rights and security of these groups during and after the elections.

It further underlined that both journalists and the wider public should be granted full access to information without interference, a right enshrined in Article 18 of the Zanzibar Constitution of 1984 as well as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) which affirms: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”

ZAMECO also highlighted the importance of providing equal and non-discriminatory access to accurate election information for all journalists. This includes issuing special accreditation cards from the electoral commission while avoiding preferential treatment toward state-owned media over private outlets.

“This will enable journalists to monitor and report on election events professionally, fairly and without facing unnecessary obstacles,” the statement reads.

The committee further recommended that ZEC provide specialized training for journalists on election coverage, with a focus on gender sensitivity, professionalism and ethical standards. Such training, it noted, would strengthen journalists’ capacity to report fairly on both male and female candidates, thereby advancing the principle of inclusive political participation.

Additionally, ZAMECO commended ZEC’s commitment to publishing gender-disaggregated data on election participants—including the number of women and men contesting positions such as President, Representatives, and Councillor, as well as statistics on voters and other stakeholders in the electoral process. The committee said such data will be vital in tracking gender balance and promoting the national goal of achieving 50/50 representation.

The statement concluded by reaffirming that a free, fair, and inclusive election requires safe conditions, reliable information, and equal opportunities for both women and men—cornerstones of strengthening democracy and national cohesion.