New constitution tops political parties' discussions

Amid criticism, CCM’s deputy chairman Abdulrahman Kinana who represented his party in the meeting said it’s common to receive such blame as it forms the government.

Tanzania will hold the local government election next year and the General Election in 2025

Mr Kinana expressed hopes that the coming polls may be conducted under the a new electoral body, banking on ongoing reforms initiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“After several remarks expressing commitment towards obtaining new constitution and the kind of reforms President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been undertaking, I believe we will go into the next polls with the reformed body,” Mr Kinana said.

Opposition party Chadema secretary general, Mr John Mnyika, said it’s difficult to reform the electoral laws without first reforming the constitution.

According to him, changes in some electoral laws are directly linked to the existing constitution, hence making it necessary to reform the mother law first.

“Let me emphasise that constitutional reforms should start,” he said, adding that it could be overhauling the mother law or amending some of its sections.

The argument was countered by Mr Kinana who said the reforms of the electoral laws could be done without necessarily affecting the constitution.

Opposition CUF spokesperson, Mr Mohammed Ngulangwa, accused the ruling party of delaying the new constitution process since 2014 when the Constituent Assembly approved a draft.

CCMs women wing member, Ms Hawa Ghasia countered the argument saying it’s the opposition parties which boycotted the process.

“You boycotted the process which had already taken off. If CCM wanted to monopolise the process, it could even do it today and fast-track the process but it’s wisdom pushing President Samia Suluhu Hassan to delay so that we include everyone,” she said.

Opposition ACT Wazalendo chairman, Mr Juma Duni Haji, said the opposition boycotted the process in 2014 because the ruling party altered what was originally proposed, especially in the form of government system.

The Constitution Review Commission proposed three government system but the ruling party preferred the current two government system to be maintained.

“We did not boycott the process but refused the kind of draft you wanted us to endorse,” said Mr Haji.

The debate widened scope to the demand of increasing women participation in the political processes with participants questioning the dominance of men, including in the main stage of the conference.

Deputy political party registrar, Mr Sisty Nyahoza said the dominance of men on the high table of the meeting was a reflection of what was happening within the political parties.

“When we normalize ask the parties to nominate people, we receive the names of men. That is a trend which changes should start from within the parties,” he said.

Chadema attended the yesterday meeting after boycotting several other gatherings organized by the TCD.