Giving his
remarks shortly after receiving the 2015 General Election Report presented by
the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the president said the constitution is
of benefit to Tanzanians.
“Should
there be any other matters to be added, this would be done in the interest of
Tanzanians,” the Head of State said. He praised former President Jakaya Kikwete
and his Zanzibar counterpart, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein for a job well done in
connection with the constitution writing process.
The
announcement open-up a new chapter to the government, politicians and civil
society organizations to revive discussions and civic education campaign over
the referendum later to be held in Tanzania.
NEC
Chairman (rtd) Judge Damian Lubuva had earlier told the president that NEC and
ZEC will resume the referendum process this time around by reviewing the
Constitutional Referendum Act, 2013 which appears to be outdated.
He said
that after the reviews are submitted to the government and subsequently
approved by Parliament, NEC and ZEC would announce the date for the referendum.
Judge Lubuva maintained that NEC had suspended the referendum process pending
unaccomplished voters registration process and the general elections.
The
ceremony held at the State House yesterday was attended by former Presidents
Kikwete, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar Vice-
President Ambassador Seif Ali Idd, Zanzibar Chief Justice Omar Makungu and
Speaker of the House of Representatives Zuberi Ali Maulid.
Others
were former Prime Ministers Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim,
Zanzibar Electoral Chairman Jecha Salum Jecha and representatives of diplomats.
Recalling on the ended general election, the president said the 2015 elections
were quite challenging and very competitive “but it’s all over now.”
It was the
first election conducted using BVR (Biometric Voter Registration) and critics
thought the nation would fall into a political crisis. “I should sincerely
thank the election secretariat, the former presidents and security organs for
making the election free, fair and peaceful.”
President
Magufuli admitted there were minor hitches during the electoral process but
added that these were a common phenomenon in most polls.
Judge
Lubuva told the president the last year’s elections were peacefully conducted.
He said the commission met its target to register voters by 96.9pc after
registering 23.161 million people out of the planned 23.901 million.
He noted
that with the new updated voter’s register, the commission will from now be
updating only eligible voters and eliminating non eligible voters such as the
deceased.
“This
report gives an in-depth overview of last year’s general election from voters’
registration, campaigns, tallying process to announcement of winners,” he told
the president.
However,
the Chairman said there were a number of shortcomings that now need immediate
attention. He named lack of a permanent building for the commission and the
need to introduce a special elections fund as key to its sustainability.
But the
President was quick to announce that his administration will establish the
special elections fund to allow donors and the central government to contribute
to the fund on yearly basis.
The
president further directed the commission to acquire a plot of land in Dodoma
where it can build its headquarters other than the rented building in the city.
“I am told you spend about 1.3bn/- annually to pay rent.
This is
inappropriate for a crucial body such as NEC. I suggest that the 12bn/- I have
offered to you be spent in building your own head offices,” said the president.
SYLIVESTER DOMASA//daily news
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