Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa has declared December 14 a special public holiday for this year to allow Tanzanians to cast their ballots in the postponed 2005 general elections.

The presidential decision was made following the change of date for the polls, according to a statement issued by the Tanzanian State House available on Friday.

December 14 is a Wednesday and therefore it has to be changed to a public holiday to enable people to turn out for the polls.

On Wednesday, Tanzanian National Electoral Commission (NEC) has announced that December 14 instead of December 18 would be the polling day for the nation.

The general elections, originally slated for October 30 this year, was first postponed to December 18 but NEC Chairman Justice Lewis Makame said that his institution had to bring forward the polling day in response to calls to shorten the period to reduce campaigning expenses.

The polls were postponed due to the death of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo presidential running mate.

The opposition were given until November 18 to nominate a new running mate and all the 10 parties vying for the presidency of the United Republic of Tanzania are to campaign between November 19 and December 13.

Source: Xinhua