Political parties give thumbs up to electoral bills

DAR ES SALAAM: OVER 10 opposition political parties expressed satisfaction yesterday with the consideration of views from stakeholders in the recently tabled electoral bills.

The three bills in question are; the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Bill, 2023, the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Bill, 2023 and the Political Parties Affairs Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The leaders of 14 political parties, under their union, confirmed that most of their views were incorporated during the crafting of the bills.

The parties included the Democratic Party (DP), the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA), the United People’s Democratic Party (UPDP), the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC), Demokrasia Makini, National League for Democracy (NLD), and the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP).

Others included Sauti ya Umma (SAU), the Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD), Chama Cha Kijamii (CCK), Alliance for Tanzania Farmers Party (AFP), and ADA-Tadea, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the others, Secretary-General of the opposition DP, Mr Abdul Mluya, asserted that the bills have taken into account most of their recommendations.

“It is not true that many views from stakeholders were not considered; many views were taken into account,” stated Mr Mluya.

He pointed out some of the key recommendations from stakeholders that were considered, such as the structure of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the removal of unopposed candidates, suggesting that people should vote even if there is only one candidate.

They faulted another opposition party, CHADEMA, claims that the documents did not consider concerns from stakeholders, hence suggesting that they be withdrawn from the parliament.

The opposition CHADEMA plans to stage demonstrations on January 24 this year to push the government to nullify its process of tabling the proposed electoral laws in parliament.

The parliament is currently collecting views from the public before the bills are tabled for a second reading and passed into law.

The Parliamentary Committee on Governance, Constitution, and Legal Affairs announced that a total of 18 political parties contributed their views, both orally and in written form.

“Our fellow politician and national leader of CHADEMA announced the organisation of a demonstration to push for the withdrawal of the three Bills from Parliament.

Our work was to give views, not to ask for the withdrawal of the entire documents. There are many groups, including religious leaders, who gave their views, so when one person says the documents should be trashed, it is offensive to other groups,” argued Mr Mluya.

He said that they did not agree with the means that their fellow political leaders had chosen because it was useless for the nation and intended to disrupt national unity, peace, tranquility, and solidarity.

Demonstrations have effects on elderly people, people with disabilities, children, and others with special needs.

“Just imagine when peace disappears, where are we going to send these groups? Politics should be a platform to compete with arguments and party policies,” he pointed out, terming demonstrations as an outdated means of pushing for their demands.

“Let us do politics while considering the citizens and what they want. In order to achieve democracy, we need to get rid of arrogance and selfishness. Our main objective must be to prioritise the public interest,” he emphasised.

He called upon fellow leaders of political parties to use proper legal means or the Political Parties Council and other means to push for their demands instead of demonstrations.

Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, the opposition NCCR-Mageuzi party also argued on Tuesday that there is no justification for the planned demonstration by CHADEMA.

The party’s National Chairperson, Haji Ambar Khamis, said that his party is not ready to participate in the planned demonstration being organised by some political parties to pressure the government on the bills sent to parliament.

Mr, Khamis, the NCCR-Mageuzi National Chairperson, said at a press conference in Zanzibar, “We reject CHADEMA’s call for us to join the demonstration because we do not see a reason to take to the streets. Basically, we cannot send people to protest against the things that we have been presented with. We have and will present our views in Parliament, and now we are waiting for its status.”

The NCCR-Mageuzi chairman emphasised that demonstrations and protests are not the solution to finding a framework for political challenges.

Mr Ambar warned NCCR-Mageuzi members not to participate in the protest, stating that if any member violates the ban, the party will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against them.

He asked the members to remain calm and wait for the feedback on their opinions that they sent to Parliament.