The Law to be changed ahead of 2015 polls

RUCCI · 2014-09-11T09:17:31+00:00

The Chadema secretary general, Dr Willibrod Slaa, shares views with Defenders of the People's Constitution (Ukawa) co-chairs, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba of CUF (centre) and Mr James Mbatia (right) from NCCR-Mageuzi, after their joint press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday. They briefed journalist on "the way forward", following the announcement that the issue of the new Katiba will only be concluded after the 2015 polls. The stage is set for the 15th amendment of the 1977 Constitution prior to next year's General Election, following an agreement between President Jakaya Kikwete and the Coalition of Defenders of the People's Constitution (Ukawa). Briefing the media yesterday on the Monday talks with the President in Dodoma, the co-principals of the group-NCCR-Mageuzi Chairman James Mbatia, Chadema Secretary-General Willibrod Slaa and Civic United Front (CUF) Chairman Ibrahim Lipumba-revealed that the parties agreed to amend the current Constitution to meet the requirements of the general election to be held in October 2015. The changes will focus on five key areas-forming an independent electoral commission, independent candidates, a 50 per cent plus one minimum provision for the presidential election instead of a simple majority and room for presidential results be challenged in court. There will also be an article directing the next President to complete the Constitution-making process after the poll. "Political parties should, therefore, prepare a proposal on these key issues-to be endorsed by all stakeholders-as soon as possible so it is submitted to the government for preparation of an Amendment Bill," said Mr Mbatia. Ukawa says it considers sheer embezzelment continued sittings of the Constituent Assembly in Dodoma since no constitution will come out of it and billions of taxpayers' hard-earned money will go down the drain instead. "Because we have agreed in principle that we cannot realistically make a new constitution before next year's polls, it is prudent that the chairman of the CA (Samuel Sitta) and the steering committee allow wisdom to prevail so that the CA is suspended immediately," Mr Mbatia added."To allow the CA to continue until October 4 is to condone corruption. We, Ukawa, say no. It is not acceptable." Meanwhile, the main opposition party and Ukawa member Chadema yesterday threatened to organise countrywide protests if the CA does not stop immediately. Speaking during the official opening of the Chadema youth wing (Bavicha) general meeting--which included elections--Chadema Chairman Freeman Mbowe said his party had ran out of patience with the government and the ruling party. "Watching the President bless a worthless process that will continue spending billions of shillings for nothing until October 4 is no longer tolerable and we are not ready to sit down and do nothing," Mr Mbowe added. "We cannot allow what is going on in Dodoma to continue and we will continue protesting until the process is halted." In the meantime, Chadema will continue working hand in hand with Ukawa even in next year's General Election and develop a clear course of action to avoid a scramble for power. "We have a long term plan to continue working with influential parties as we let the puppets go with CCM," Mr Mbowe said. "In the coming General Election, Ukawa will not fight over a single constituency. We will have a good plan to avoid that." Tanzania Centre for Democracy Chairman John Cheyo said in Dodoma on Tuesday that the decision to put a halt to the crafting of a new constitution was reached upon realising that the time left to the 2015 polls is not enough to accomplish such a big task. The sittings will continue for the duration of the time allowed by the law. Source: The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/The-Law-to-be-changed-ahead-of-2015-polls/-/1840392/2448682/-/djbjr5/-/index.html

Thread starter RUCCI
Start date Sep 11, 2014

RUCCI

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The Law to be changed ahead of 2015 polls

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