Major election laws set for review

THE government through the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs plans to amend various laws governing democracy, political parties’ activities, local government and general elections and the functions of the electoral commission.

Minister Dr Damas Ndumbaro revealed the ministry’s plan on Friday when opening the Workers’ Council during which he outlined four priorities for the 2023/24 financial year.

Dr Ndumbaro said review on the constitution, as directed by President Samia when she received recommendation from the task force led Prof Rwekaza Mukandala, will be one of the areas of focus when carrying out amendments

“The key issues of the country’s ongoing democratic reforms agenda are the, electoral commission’s independence, the constitution and a level political playing field,” he said.

Dr Damas Ndumbaro said to attain the benchmark, they proposed a new budget that amounts to 36bn/-, an increase of 9bn/- from the current budget.

The planned amendments, he said, are in line with recommendations submitted to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan by the task force on political reform that was formed by the government last year.

“We will incorporate stakeholders’ views as the planned amendments need voices, expertise, human and financial resources, thus, as you work on the ministry’s budget priorities, you must be planning along those lines” he said.

President Samia, speaking after the task force handed over the report to her, said the recommendations put forward included carrying out review on a number of laws.

“Many of these proposals are related to amending the existing laws which will mean the government having to incur big expenses,” said President Samia was quoted as saying.

“There are budgetary issues to be considered here and since the current (2022/2023) budget has already been passed, some things might have to wait until the next budget (2023/2024),” the President added.

Since then the President has repeatedly insisted that political reforms will be carried out but warned that things will be done gradually.

Recently, when speaking at an opposition gathering when celebrating the International Women’s Day where she was invited as the guest of honor, President Samia said every journey of development begins with a step, insisting that progress will come gradually according to the laws and guidelines set for Tanzania.

According to President Samia, the new nation will be built with competitive politics and without violence.

Yesterday, Dr Ndumbaro insisted on the team work spirit among the staff to achieve the goals, announcing that ‘Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign will be launched next month in Dodoma as per her directive to offer the public with the legal services.

“President Samia has directed us to offer legal aid services and the campaign to that effect will be launched at the University of Dodoma on April 20, this year before spreading countrywide for three years,” he stated.

He outlined other priorities as a country’s participation in zonal, regional and international human rights conferences to paint the correct country’s image thus helping in increasing foreign direct investment.

He insisted on proper planning and strategising, tasking the Deputy Minister and Deputy permanent secretary to oversee smooth implementation of the priorities.

On her part, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Mary Makondo assured workers of the improvement of the working condition and improved welfare since they were part and parcel for the increased productivity.

She called for creativity in dealing with challenges while being guided by the rules and regulations of the public service.