Zanzibar's First VP for awareness drive ahead of electoral laws amendment

Dar es Salaam. The First Vice President of Zanzibar, Othman Masoud Othman, stressed the importance of a comprehensive awareness plan yesterday before the amendment of impending electoral laws.

He emphasised that such an initiative would be crucial in enlightening political parties, stakeholders and the general public about their roles and responsibilities in adhering to the new legal framework.

Addressing a special meeting of the council of political parties convened to discuss election laws and political parties’ bills, Mr Masoud stressed that a well-executed awareness campaign is essential for the effective implementation of the upcoming laws.

He expressed his concerns, saying:  “The beauty of the law is when it is followed without compulsion. If you don’t do that on time, the laws that will be enacted will be less productive because their violations will be large, and that will be due to a lack of understanding.”

Mr Masoud urged thorough consideration of opinions without waiting for arguments from stakeholders, emphasising the need for an inclusive approach to address diverse perspectives.

He acknowledged the various opinions circulating about the proposed laws, urging that they be taken into account during the amendment process. He highlighted the bills’ significance, emphasising that they are not just amendments but integral components in realising President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of a nation built on the principles of 4R [reconciliation, reforms, rebuilding, and resilience].

“In those 4Rs, in my opinion, the mother R is that of reforms. If we implement this R sincerely and professionally, the implementation of the other 3 Rs will be easy,” Mr Masoud remarked.

Stakeholders at the meeting explored how President Hassan’s 4R philosophy could contribute to economic development in the country, calling for widespread support for the vision.

The managing director of Mwananchi Communications Ltd (MCL), Mr Bakari Machumu, led discussions among political stakeholders, probing their understanding of the 4Rs and their potential impact on the country’s economic development.

ACT-Wazalendo secretary general Ado Shaibu asserted that the 4R philosophy, if fully implemented, could contribute to the nation’s economic, political, and social development.

He stressed the need for reforms to be the cornerstone of changes in the constitution and laws, advocating for the initiation of the constitution-writing process as a vital step.

“The strong pillar of reforms should go with changes in the Constitution and laws. The Constitution process must start now; the pillar of reforms is the new Constitution,” said Mr Shaibu.

He also called for a national consensus, highlighting the importance of discussions to ensure a unified approach to the constitutional process.

ADC Party general secretary, Mr Doyo Hassan, emphasised the need to translate President Hassan’s intentions regarding the 4Rs into actionable steps.

“Let’s create the environment so that the 4Rs can be implemented in practice. If that happens, then the national vision will be achieved,” he urged.

Deputy secretary general of Chadema-Zanzibar, Mr Salum Mwalimu, emphasised the multidimensional nature of the changes being discussed, stating: “The changes that are being talked about are not only political but economic and social.”

He called for strategic planning to enable Tanzania to navigate these changes effectively.

A member of the Central Committee of CCM, Stephen Wasira, stressed the paramount importance of reconciliation as the first step, stating, “Reconciliation is the first thing, and it cannot be a one-day thing; it is continuous. Let’s continue to support him because it is going to bring us together as a nation.”