Local News

New party gets provisional registration

The newly registered political party, Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) supporters celebrate at the Political Party Registrar Offices after receiving a certificate in Dar es Salaam on Monday.(Photo by Mohamed Mambo)

THE Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) on Monday received provisional registration, vowing to expedite process of getting full registration as a political party.

 ADC Acting Interim Chairman, Mr Said Miraj Abdallah, received a certificate for provisional registration from the Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Tendwa at a function held at the registrar's office in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Tendwa told a press conference that the party had fulfilled all the necessary requirements for provisional registration as prescribed in the provisions of the Political Parties Act, 2002.

Last month, ADC presented an application letter for provisional registration, together with the party's draft constitution and PF1 and PF2 forms to the Registrar of Political Parties.

The party comprises of former high-ranking members of the Civic United Front (CUF) who were axed from their former party.
The registrar of political parties said that it is up to ADC to launch a national recruitment exercise to get members in at least ten regions of the country which he said should include at least two regions from Zanzibar.

"In order for the party to secure full registration in accordance to the law, it should get at least 200 members from each region, in not more than 180 days," said Mr Tendwa. Mr Tendwa said he was mandated to deregister the newly formed party after 180 days, should it fail to meet statutory requirements for full registration.

He said the party may however submit an application letter to his office prior to the stated period requesting extension of time, after giving reasonable explanation that would provide substantial grounds as to why it failed to fulfill the requirements in the stipulated 180 days.

Speaking shortly after receiving provisional registration certificate, Mr Abdallah expressed confidence that his party was well prepared to meet all the required qualifications to secure permanent registration. "I would like to promise Tanzanians that this party is set to conduct in a civilized manner and will not be centred on tribalism, regionalism and racism," said Mr Abdallah.

Mr Abdallah is one of the political bigwigs who defected from CUF. He had held various high level positions in his former party, including that of the director of the opposition party's youth wing. Earlier ADC supporters blocked some roads chanting different songs in a procession that saw motorcyclists leading the way to the registrar's office.

The registrar further said he would keenly scrutinize the party's flag which he said resembled that of another opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). "My officials and I shall examine the flag and advise the party to create another one if we will be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the colours and other contents in the flag resemble that of CHADEMA", said the registrar.