Correcting certain misconceptions I AM writing this piece in my capacity as former Vice- Chairman of Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in order to offer some clarifications by presenting the relevant facts, which will, hopefully, clear certain misconceptions regarding the selection process adopted by CCM in selecting its Presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.
The misconceptions Allegations and claims have been made to the effect that Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) violated its own rules of procedure in the process for selecting its presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections.
I presume that such allegations are based not on malice, but on ignorance of the actual rules and procedures, which were used by CCM during this exercise.
These misconceptions were first advanced by Mzee Ngombale at a press conference held at his residence in Dar es Salaam, who reportedly claimed that the CCM process was null and void (batili).
His reason being that CCM had violated its own rules of procedure by allowing the process to commence at the level of the party Ethics Committee (which deals with the issue of Leaders Ethics), instead of commencing at the Central Committee level (as has been the practice in the past).He claimed further that the Ethics Committee had ‘usurped’ the powers and functions of the Central Committee in that regard, and that this action had therefore nullified the entire process! I have submitted above that such misconceived claims are probably based not on malice, but most likely on his ignorance of the relevant rules and procedures, as currently structured.
He is obviously aware of the rules and procedures as they were during the time when he was a member of the Central Committee, but that was many years ago.
He may therefore be unaware, or indeed ignorant, of the new rules which have been introduced since his departure from membership of the Central Committee.
This relates in particular to the rules titled “Kanuni za Usalama na Maadili, Toleo la 2012. These are the rules which empower the scrutiny and evaluation process for the selection of CCM election candidates to commence at the level of the Ethics Committee, as was done this time round.
Putting greater emphasis on leadership ethics Ethics is the heart of leadership. Hence, the application of the Ethics rules to the selection process for the CCM presidential candidate was intended to put greater emphasis on CCM’s determination to ensure that the country’s top leader is a person of integrity.
The Ethics Committee of course has many other functions to perform; but in relation to the candidate selection process, the Ethics rules make the following provisions:
- FUNGU LA PILI: Majukumu ya Kamati ya Usalama na Maadili. Kanuni ya 3(3)(vii) inasomeka kama ifuatavyo: “Kamati ya Usalama na Maadili itachambua kwa makini ubora wa wanachama wanaoomba uongozi, kabla vikao vinavyohusika havijatoa idhini ya kuwaruhusu wateuliwe kugombea uongozi wanaouomba”. (The Ethics Committee shall scrutinize carefully the suitability of all those persons seeking the Party’s nomination, before the Committees which are responsible for their nomination carry out their allotted functions).
This is the rule, which empowers the Ethics Committee to be the first organ of our Party to participate in the selection process for the CCM Presidential candidate. As can be seen, the Ethics Committee is mandated to ‘thoroughly scrutinize’ the suitability of all the persons seeking the party’s nomination, before their next stages of consideration by the Central Committee, and later by the National Executive Committee, and finally by the national Congress of the Party, in that order.
Kanuni namba 3(3)(viii) inasomeka kama ifuatavyo: “Kamati ya Usalama na Maadili itakuwa na uwezo wa kupata nyaraka au kumbukumbu zozote zitakazohitajika katika kutekeleza kazi zake, na nyaraka hizo ztarudishwa salama pale zilipopatikana”. (The Ethics Committee is authorised to access any information or records, which it might require for the successful performance of its duties and responsibilities.
Such records shall be promptly returned to sender for safe keeping). This means that the Ethics Committee can obtain confidential information from the State Intelligence and/or Integrity Organs regarding the integrity of any candidate being considered for possible nomination to vie for the country’s highest office.
I believe this particular provision was made in consideration of the fact that the Chairman of the CCM National Ethics Committee is also the President of the United Republic, who is entitled to receive such confidential information from State Organs.
Kanuni namba 4(ii) inasomeka kama ifuatavyo: “Wanachama wanaogombea uongozi ambao uteuzi wao unafanywa na Vikao vya Kitaifa, watachunguzwa kwanza uadilifu wao na Kamati ya Maadili, kwa ushirikiano na vyombo vingine”
This appears simply to reinforce the provisions of the rules stated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above; namely that the Ethics Committee shall be the first organ of the party to scrutinise the suitability of the applicants in terms of their integrity; and that this Committee shall carry out its function in collaboration with the relevant State Intelligence and Integrity organs.
There was no breach of rules of procedure Thus, as can be noted from the rules quoted above, the CCM nomination exercise was conducted strictly in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure. The claims that the process was null and void (batili) are based entirely on a lack of understanding of the said rules.
The fight against money-driven politics Essentially, what really transpired in this particular process is that CCM just said NO to money-driven politics.
This is the real message that was intended to be delivered by the party’s Ethics Committee decisions. There must have been different reasons why some applicants were eliminated from the race for the presidency by the Ethics Committee. For example, six of them were plainly unqualified on account of the Constitutional requirement of a minimum of 40 years of age.
But because there were 38 applicants who had to be reduced to five, there must have been other considerations, which were applied in this reduction exercise.
But, presumably, in view of the rules quoted above, which require the Ethics Committee “to scrutinise the applicants in terms of their integrity”; there can be no doubt that some of them were eliminated on the basis of lack of integrity. And this was done in the light of the emergence of the totally unethical syndrome of ‘money-driven politics’, which appeared to dominate the presidential nomination process within CCM.
This had to be dealt with firmly by the Ethics Committee, because ethics is the heart of leadership. I hope that this clarification will clear the said misconception, at least in the minds of those who do not wish to use it for their own malicious purposes, or for selfish motives; such as those who are using this as an excuse to defect to other political parties!.
The issue of persons defecting to other political parties This matter of a few persons defecting to opposition political parties cannot be a major concern for CCM, and indeed does not at all worry the CCM leadership, for three very good and cogent reasons, which are the following:-
CCM’s overwhelming numbers of its members There is a saying that “there is safety in numbers”. If that is indeed true, CCM has more than six million members on its membership register.
Hence, the departure of a few tens, or even a few hundreds from among these millions cannot significantly affect CCM’s strength in terms of membership numbers. It should also be remembered that large numbers of new members continue joining CCM regularly, as was clearly manifested during the recent Secretary-General’s tours in the regions and districts, and on other similar occasions.
CCM’s preparedness for such exits Right from the introduction of multi-party politics in Tanzania way back in 1992, CCM foresaw the possibility of some of its members deciding to join other political parties, and accordingly made provision for such eventualities in Article 13(1)(e) of the CCM Constitution.
Hence it comes as no surprise at all to CCM when some of its members decide to exit from the party. It is the cost of adhering to a principle.
This is of very great significance. Because CCM has now decided, unlike before, to adhere to the core principle of integrity in its leadership, and some of its members have decided to openly oppose this principle by defecting to other political parties, for the reason only that CCM declined to select some of its presidential aspirants on the basis of this principle.
And further that those other political parties are prepared to completely disregard this most important integrity principle by welcoming such unprincipled defectors into their ranks; then they had better go!
/Daily News.
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