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TCF Deputy Chairman, Hebron Mwakagenda
BY DAVID KISANGA
Says NEC, people need more time
The Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) has called upon the government to suspend the referendum on the proposed Constitution so as to give the public ample time to study the document and allow the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to focus on preparing for the general elections slated for October 2015.
The referendum which will also be under NEC is schedule for April next year.
TCF Deputy Chairman, Hebron Mwakagenda made the call when briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday on what transpired during 2014.
He said the government should not push matters by holding the referendum in April next year while knowing that there are general elections in October, that same year.“There is no way the government can hold the referendum as scheduled. For instance, the Biometric Voters’ Registration is supposed to start in January through April… chances are very narrow for NEC to successfully supervise the referendum as they will also be preparing to oversee the general elections,” he said.
He said the government should give NEC ample time to complete the voters’ registration and prepare for the general elections.
According to Mwakagenda, the government is yet to distribute copies of the proposed Constitution to the people despite the fact that the latter need to read and understand the document before the referendum.
He said with only four months towards the referendum, chances are very few people will get copies of the document, noting that it is a golden opportunity for the people to participate in creating a new Mother Law which will serve the interests of the nation as a whole.
He said it is obvious that the majority of the people have little knowledge on what’s contained in the proposed Mother Law.
In another development, TCF said they were appalled by decision reached by Minister in Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, Hawa Ghasia, to hold accountable District Council Executive Directors over irregularities that transpired in the recent civic polls.
Mwakagenda said: “In the first place, her ministry was against the proposal to hold the civic elections in February next year under the supervision of NEC.”
“Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda was the one to be held accountable on account that he was the one who announced the date for holding the civic polls as December, 14 2014 contrary to preliminary suggestions. This is one of the reasons that led to the irregularities and chaos during the recent polls,” he said.
TCF also urged President Jakaya Kikwete to fasten implementation of the parliament’s resolutions which among other things; want him to hold accountable government officials who are implicated in the infamous Tegeta escrow account saga.
“He must act accordingly and should be bold enough to hold those implicated in the scandal accountable,” added Mwakagenda.
The referendum which will also be under NEC is schedule for April next year.
TCF Deputy Chairman, Hebron Mwakagenda made the call when briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday on what transpired during 2014.
He said the government should not push matters by holding the referendum in April next year while knowing that there are general elections in October, that same year.“There is no way the government can hold the referendum as scheduled. For instance, the Biometric Voters’ Registration is supposed to start in January through April… chances are very narrow for NEC to successfully supervise the referendum as they will also be preparing to oversee the general elections,” he said.
He said the government should give NEC ample time to complete the voters’ registration and prepare for the general elections.
According to Mwakagenda, the government is yet to distribute copies of the proposed Constitution to the people despite the fact that the latter need to read and understand the document before the referendum.
He said with only four months towards the referendum, chances are very few people will get copies of the document, noting that it is a golden opportunity for the people to participate in creating a new Mother Law which will serve the interests of the nation as a whole.
He said it is obvious that the majority of the people have little knowledge on what’s contained in the proposed Mother Law.
In another development, TCF said they were appalled by decision reached by Minister in Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, Hawa Ghasia, to hold accountable District Council Executive Directors over irregularities that transpired in the recent civic polls.
Mwakagenda said: “In the first place, her ministry was against the proposal to hold the civic elections in February next year under the supervision of NEC.”
“Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda was the one to be held accountable on account that he was the one who announced the date for holding the civic polls as December, 14 2014 contrary to preliminary suggestions. This is one of the reasons that led to the irregularities and chaos during the recent polls,” he said.
TCF also urged President Jakaya Kikwete to fasten implementation of the parliament’s resolutions which among other things; want him to hold accountable government officials who are implicated in the infamous Tegeta escrow account saga.
“He must act accordingly and should be bold enough to hold those implicated in the scandal accountable,” added Mwakagenda.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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