BY FELIX ANDREW
7th November 2014
The government has asserted that it has no plans whatsoever to postpone the Contitution referendum scheduled for April 30 next year.
Addressing the National Assembly yesterday in the capitol, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda made the affirmation when responding to a question raised by Kigoma North Legislator Zitto Kabwe during a question and answer session.
“We have local government elections this year, General Elections and referendum on proposed Constitution next year, why don’t we conduct the referendum after the General Elections next year?” Zitto inquired. “We intend to do all these things, it is our hope that each and every thing will go as intended because where there is a will there is a way,” responded the Premier.
Early last month when the proposed Constitution was passed by the Constituent Assembly, PM Pinda remarked that the new Constitution would be in place while President Jakaya Kikwete is still in office contradicting the president’s earlier agreement with the Tanzania Centre for Democracy in which it was publicly announced that the referendum would be held after next year’s General Election.
However, while in China at the end of October, the President announced that the referendum is to be held in April
“We have done a commendable job…it will be better if Tanzanians get the new constitution before the President leaves the office,” the PM had said.
He also announced that there are possibilities of opinion polls been conducted in conjunction with the general elections.
Addressing Dodoma elders earlier this week, President Kikwete affirmed that the referendum date is set on April 30, 2015 and announced that the campaign period shall commence on March 30 and end on April 28, 2015.
He said by the powers vested on him by the referendum Act (2014) the President may announce the date and campaign period of the referendum 14 days after receiving the proposed Constitution from the Constituent Assembly Chairman.
Kikwete detailed that the legislation which required the Constituent Assembly Chairman to hand over to the President the proposed Constitution within seven days of completion also set a specific time of 70 days for the president to announce the referendum.
In his remarks at the conference, attended by among other dignitaries, vice president Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal, Cabinet Ministers and religious leader, the President warned wananchi not to be fooled by people who ‘want to setback the development in the making of a new mother law.’
"The proposed Constitution has met all the requirements that Tanzanians need," the President said.
“What's left is the people's choice, to decide whether yes or no as stipulated under the referendum Act, 2014,” he noted citing that it is well written in simple language, easy to read and understand and called on responsible authorities to make and distribute sufficient copies.
The President also explained that he has mandate to decide the number of days to campaign for or against the proposed Constitution and according to him, 30 days are enough.
He also pointed out that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has authority to announce up to 60 days of awareness creation by civil society organisations to facilitate public understand of the concepts therein.
Kikwete explained that the timeframes given are the result of consensus reached between Premier Mizengo Pinda and his Isles counterpart who negotiated to adjust the timeframe for the referendum, after been informed of NEC’ capacity to undertake the task.
"It was supposed to be 70 days, however, due to requirements to update the voters’ register, it was agreed that by March next year, the entire process of updating the register will be completed," he said underscoring that the campaigns for or against will start March, 30 next year and run to April 29, the eve of the referendum.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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